Operations Manager

Job Title

Operations Manager

Location: Newport, NC

About ProGreen Turf & Landscape

ProGreen Turf & Landscape Inc. is a professional outdoor services company committed to being the most trusted and appreciated provider of landscape services. We are building a family-oriented, professional team that takes pride in reliable work, strong customer relationships, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary

We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day execution across our Maintenance, Design/Build, Turf, and Irrigation divisions. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can bring structure to a growing landscape business, develop managers, improve communication between the office and field, and build systems that make work safer, more consistent, and more profitable.

The successful candidate will be a practical, steady leader who makes sound decisions, follows through on commitments, solves problems early, and helps teams perform at a higher level.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily operations across multiple landscape service divisions and keep work moving efficiently.

• Develop and coach managers and field leaders in planning, communication, execution, and follow-through.

• Improve production planning, crew readiness, scheduling discipline, and office-to-field handoffs.

• Build, improve, document, and implement standard operating procedures and repeatable workflows.

• Lead process-improvement initiatives that reduce wasted time, rework, delays, material waste, and communication breakdowns.

• Improve visibility into staffing, workload, production bottlenecks, equipment needs, and operational risks.

• Support strong financial performance by improving labor efficiency, protecting job margins, and addressing budget-to-actual variances.

• Strengthen inventory and supply controls so materials are tracked accurately and available when needed.

• Reinforce safety standards, training, field readiness, quality expectations, and timely issue escalation.

• Lead internal operational projects from planning through implementation, communication, and follow-through.

• Coordinate across divisions to remove bottlenecks and create a more reliable customer experience.

• Use performance information and operating trends to identify opportunities for improvement and take corrective action.

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading operations in a landscape, construction, or field-service business.

Job Title: Operations Manager

Reports to: Director of Operations

Sun Bulb Company, Inc. - Better Gro Companies LLC, located in Arcadia, FL, is a renowned supplier of orchids, orchid supplies, home décor accents, and specialty fertilizers in the tropical plant industry since 1956. With 70 years of experience, the company prides itself on delivering quality, value, and beauty through its flagship brand of BETTER-GRO® products.

The Operations Manager at Sun Bulb Company is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the facility operations, including production, warehouse, shipping, receiving, inventory management, facilities maintenance and property upkeep. This position ensures efficient, safe, and cost-effective operations while supporting company objectives related to product quality, customer service, inventory accuracy, and operational excellence.

The Operations Manager provides leadership to operational teams and works closely with management to optimize processes, improve productivity, maintain facility and equipment reliability, and ensure operational readiness across all areas of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee Daily Operations

• Manage daily operations across warehouse, production-manufacturing, shipping, receiving, inventory, and facility maintenance
• Develop, update and implement operational procedures and best practices to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure operational activities align with company goals and performance standards.

Inventory Management / Control

• Manage inventory control for raw materials, hard good items, product in process, finish product, facility supplies, operational equipment and maintenance parts.
• Conduct inventory reviews, cycle counts, and physical inventory audits.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Develop strategies to improve inventory accuracy and minimize loss.

Production / Manufacturing Output

• Utilize the company's ERP system to review and validate manufacturing orders.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory transactions, production reporting, and operational data.
• Monitor operational reports and key performance indicators to support decision-making.

• Collaborate with departments to improve system utilization and data integrity.
• Oversee the production of live plant materials and hard goods to ensure quality, efficiency, and timely completion of production schedules.
• Plan labor schedules, coordinate equipment, materials, and resources to meet operational demands.
• Monitor production performance and KPI’s; Implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Support Quality Assurance and product consistency initiatives.

Warehouse, Shipping & Receiving Operations

• Oversee all warehouse activities, including receiving, inventory storage, order fulfillment, shipping, and material handling.
• Ensure accurate and timely shipment of customer orders.
• Maintain organized warehouse operations and efficient inventory flow.
• Implement processes to improve warehouse productivity and accuracy.

Facilities, Property & Equipment Management

• Oversee maintenance and upkeep of company facilities, greenhouses, warehouse space, grounds, and infrastructure.
• Manage preventative maintenance programs for operational equipment.
• Ensure functionality and maintenance of forklifts, greenhouse systems, irrigation equipment, and operational machinery.
• Coordinate repairs and vendor services as necessary.
• Monitor capital equipment needs and recommend improvements.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Promote a safe working environment across all operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, agricultural regulations, company policies, and environmental standards.
• Conduct operational and safety inspections.
• Investigate operational incidents and implement corrective actions.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, training, and performance management to direct reports and operational teams.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Support workforce planning and staffing requirements.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness, Operations Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive operations management experience in agriculture, horticulture, nursery operations, greenhouse operations, manufacturing, distribution, or a related industry.
• Experience managing production, warehouse, inventory, shipping, receiving, maintenance, and operational processes.
• Experience leading multiple Operational departments and supervisory personnel.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of inventory control, operational management, and production processes.
• Experience working with ERP systems and manufacturing order management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze operational data and develop improvement initiatives.

Leadership Skills

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective decision-making and conflict-resolution abilities.

Preferred Skills

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Lean Six Sigma Certification or equivalent continuous improvement training.
• Experience with greenhouse environmental systems and nursery operations.
• Knowledge of agricultural production processes and horticultural best practices.
• Experience managing maintenance programs, facility operations, and operational equipment.
• Familiarity with safety management systems and regulatory compliance requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and work in warehouse, greenhouse, outdoor, and office environments.
• Exposure to varying temperatures, humidity levels, and weather conditions.
• Ability to inspect facilities, equipment, and operational areas throughout company property.

Working Conditions

• Combination of office, warehouse, greenhouse, production, and outdoor work environments.
• Regular interaction with operational equipment, inventory, and production activities.
• Occasional extended hours may be required during peak operational periods, seasonal production demands, inventory counts, or special projects.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Sun Bulb Company, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. The physical and mental demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the Company.

The essential functions, duties, responsibilities, and requirements listed in this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive and may be modified as business needs change.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Sun Bulb Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Sun Bulb Company, Inc. is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position.

Management reserves the right to revise, modify, or change the duties and responsibilities of this position at any time, with or without notice, to meet business needs.

Nothing contained in this job description should be construed as creating an employment contract, express or implied. Employment with Sun Bulb Company, Inc. is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.