Human Resource Generalist – Hybrid Position

J. Berry Nursery is a family-owned nursery in Grand Saline, Texas that produces high-value plants to both trade and home gardeners. J. Berry is focused on bringing innovation to the market and bringing inspiration to consumers. To accomplish that we need employees who are inventive, collaborative, and committed to the highest standards of quality and service.

We are currently looking for a Human Resource Generalist to lead the HR functions for our business. This professional will be the champion for employee relations, recruitment, on-boarding, benefits administration, policy implementation, and employment law compliance. This position will function as the single point of contact providing HR support to our team comprised of approximately 65 employees. The position can be a hybrid role with at least 3 days being onsite in Grand Saline.     

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

•    Owning benefits administration, managing the HRIS, and being a champion on other Human Resources processes and programs.

•    Manage the hiring process including drafting and posting job openings, scheduling, and assisting with interviews, consulting supervisors on candidate selection and preparing offer letters.

•    Prepare and process new hire paperwork along with conducting new hire orientation, aide new employees through the enrollment of benefits.

•    Assisting employees with frequently asked questions about pay, benefits, PTO, paperwork, compliance, etc.

•    Performs routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.

•    Manage employee benefits including communication, coordination, and processing of annual open enrollment activities.

•    Develop and recommend solutions to a variety of human resources issues.

•    Keep management advised of potential problem areas and recommend/implement solutions as appropriate, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.

•    Plan, direct and oversee the performance management process.

•    Manage and maintain HR records and reports and assists in the payroll process.

Key Skills

•    Bilingual in English & Spanish preferred.

•    Comprehensive understanding of HR best practices, employee benefits, and state and federal employment laws.

•    Exhibits strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

•    Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong listening skills.

•    Exhibits strong interpersonal/teamwork skills to build effective relationships with employees and managers.

•    Possesses a strong customer service orientation to respond to internal customer needs in a timely manner.

•    Exhibits strong organizational and multi-tasking skills to handle multiple, competing priorities and duties (planned and unplanned).

•    Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy; capable of maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism in difficult situations.

•    Effectively influences actions and opinions of others, openly accepts and evaluates feedback.

•    Strong organizational skills.

•    Excellent computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office and HR software.

•    Strong relationship management skills with the ability to train, influence and motivate team members.

Minimum Qualifications

•    Bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or equivalent mix of experience and education.

•    3 to 5 years of experience in HR Generalist roles of progressively increasing responsibility.

•    HR certifications, either PHR or SPHR a plus.

Click To Apply

Production Manager

J. Berry Nursery is a family-owned wholesale nursery business focused on bringing innovation to the market, providing a superior value to the consumer via best of class genetics, quality production and stand-out packaging. Our New Genetics Division brings products to market that are produced by J Berry Nursery and licensed to other companies, both domestically and internationally. The company is uniquely positioned as a breeder and production nursery which provides numerous advantages when bringing newly developed product to market.

We ship our products to over 2000 retail outlets covering more than half of the US from our primary production facility in Grand Saline, Texas which is conveniently located 70 miles East of downtown Dallas. We have additional facilities in Tyler and Lindale, Texas, and a network of contract growers in Florida, Alabama, and Texas.

Position Overview

We are seeking someone who has the desire to be part of a contemporary, collaborative, and inventive team committed to the highest standards of quality and service.

The Production Manager will be accountable for all operational aspects of production to include labor and other resource allocation management and facilities maintenance at the Grand Saline facility. The ideal candidate would have previous outdoor and/or greenhouse ornamental plant management experience, a strong attention to detail, superior leadership skills, previous involvement in process development and improvement, automation implementation, and overall efficient operational development. The candidate must also have excellent organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.

Position Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the annual production plan for the Wholesale Operation, from propagation to finished product, to ensure material is ready for sale to our customers.
• Assists in preparing the annual budget and managing the operation within budget for labor and production materials.
• Determine staffing needs and see that an appropriate number of qualified staff are recruited, trained, and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Develop and oversee standard operating procedures and effectively communicate, train, and enforce for staff to ensure adherence.
• Manage the logistics of daily operations to ensure that jobs are completed on time and to company standards.
• Create efficiencies that optimize staff/crew time and ensure productivity.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures for the facility.
• Manages Labor Planning Program establishing work benchmarks and efficiencies for all key work areas.
• Confer with department managers to ensure coordination of purchasing, planning, production, and shipping.
• Monitors and measures performance and develops new techniques to reduce costs and improve quality and efficiencies.
• Develops and produces weekly key performance indicator (KPI) reports to help manage daily operations.
• Recommends nursery layout for optimal performance.
• Participates in overall product movement strategy in production field to dock to customer.
• Oversees safety committee and ensures workers are performing safely and adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Partners w/ other managers to create an annual plan that addresses growth strategies set out by leadership.
• Assists with the development of a long-term facilities and equipment plan.
• Develops plans to ensure standards of quality are achieved at project sites and facilities; and plans for addressing when standards are not met.
• Develops, implements, and enforces employee training, standardized operating policy and procedures to ensure quality standards.

Standards Of Performance

• Ensure the production objectives are accomplished in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure quality and consistency of product, improve efficiencies, and associated costs throughout nursery operations.
• Commitment to the highest standards in customer service, quality, and professionalism.
• Provide dynamic leadership to build, motivate, train, and lead others.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• University Degree or Diploma in Nursery Production, Business Management or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years management/operations experience in a nursery, greenhouse, or manufacturing setting.
• Process improvement experience (LEAN, Six Sigma).
• Expertise in assessing a situation and quickly building innovative solutions / way forward.
• Prior Operations or Product Management experience in the green industry preferred.
• Experience integrating new businesses / functions.
• Demonstrated experience in a growing organization, involving change management.
• Proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office Applications.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking is a plus.

Job Type

Full-time

Pay

$75,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule

• Monday to Friday
• On call

Education

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience

• Management/Operations: 5 years (Preferred)
• Nursery/Greenhouse: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location

• Multiple locations

Work Remotely

• No

Click To Apply

Section Grower

J. Berry Nursery is a family-owned wholesale nursery business focused on bringing innovation to the market, providing a superior value to the consumer via best-of-class genetics, quality production, and stand-out packaging. Our New Genetics Division brings products to market that are produced by J Berry Nursery and licensed to other companies, both domestically and internationally. The company is uniquely positioned as a breeder and production nursery which provides numerous advantages when bringing newly developed products to market.

We ship our products to over 2000 retail outlets covering more than half of the US from our primary production facility in Grand Saline, Texas which is conveniently located 70 miles East of downtown Dallas. We have a second facility in Tyler, Texas, and a network of contract growers in Florida, Alabama, and Texas.

Position Overview

We are seeking someone who has the desire to be part of a contemporary, collaborative, and inventive team committed to the highest standards of quality and service.

The Section Grower reports directly to the Head Grower and works closely with the Production Manager and General Manager. This position oversees Cultural workers, Pesticide Applicators, and Irrigation Technicians. During peak season, the Section Grower will directly supervise 20-25 associates. Plant cultural responsibility begins at potting and extends through harvest.

Position Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the cultural team to meet production timelines and sale forecast targets.
• Adapt all activities to support the established companywide KPIs.
• Monitor growing areas and crops daily and supervise all activities within their section.
• Ensure that accepted IPM procedures are being maintained.
• Supervise all pesticide applications within assigned section; apply pesticides, chemicals, and biologicals as required for maintaining crop health.
• Monitor and adjust nutritional programs after testing and consultation with the Head Grower.
• Maintain pruning procedures and schedules.
• Ensure timely spacing of plants.
• Monitor and adjust irrigation applications daily with irrigation technicians.
• Manage and plan space allocation for new plants scheduled from production.
• Assist Head Grower to schedule and implement all post and preemergent herbicide applications.
• Assist in implementation of IPM Program.
• Assist research and development department with production profiling and optimization.
• Train assistants in your section as necessary to perform efficiently and effectively, and to company standards.
• Prepare daily task plans for all section associates.
• Provide timely labor, cultural, and inventory adjustment data; maintain growing records that include specifics about plant growth, fertilization, pest problems and any treatment.
• Communicate frequently with Head Grower about priorities, solving problems, and any other issues.

Standards Of Performance

• Row-run quality.
• Continuous improvement and optimization of production processes and timelines, by variety.
• Lowest cost of production.
• Efficient use of labor, equipment, and production resources.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• A degree in Horticulture or significant related industry experience is necessary for consideration.
• Experience across multiple plant categories including woody ornamentals, perennials, roses, and tropical flowering is beneficial.
• High level of organizational skills with a specific ability to prioritize activities, manage workflow and optimize labor and equipment utilization.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office Applications.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking is a plus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Wholesale nursery: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

• Multiple locations

Work Remotely:

• No

Click To Apply