Uitenhage: Horticulture Production / Propagation Coordinator posted by Headhunters

Our client, a well-established wholesale horticulture operation based in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, is seeking to employ a skilled Production & Propagation Coordinator to plan, manage, and optimise plant production across multiple crop lines.

Requirements:

• BSc in Horticulture, Agriculture (Plant Production), or related field
  OR National Diploma in Horticulture (NQF Level 6 or higher)
  OR Degree/Diploma in Industrial Engineering (Agriculture), Operations Management, or Production Planning

• Minimum 23 years experience in production planning, horticulture management, or operations coordination

• Prior experience in wholesale horticulture or large-scale agricultural production (advantageous)

• Strong understanding of plant propagation biology and commercial growing principles

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (scheduling, dashboards, cost tracking)

• Exposure to ERP or production management systems (advantageous)

• Strong analytical, organisational, and planning abilities

• Comfortable working in an outdoor agricultural production environment

• Detail-oriented, reliable, and quality focused

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage weekly, monthly, and seasonal production schedules across multiple plant species and crop lines aligned to sales demand.

• Coordinate growing timelines to ensure consistent stock availability throughout the year.

• Plan and oversee propagation programmes, including cuttings, seed schedules, and rooting protocols.

• Monitor strike rates, crop uniformity, and propagation success, adjusting methods as required.

• Drive process improvements to reduce waste, shorten production cycles, and improve cost efficiency.

• Optimise workflows, production protocols, and resource utilisation across nursery operations.

• Manage production inputs including growing media, containers, chemicals, and plant material.

• Align procurement planning with production schedules to prevent shortages or excess stock.

• Maintain and enforce quality standards throughout all production stages.

• Ensure plant health, grading, and presentation meet wholesale market requirements.

• Build and maintain production dashboards and KPI reporting systems.

• Track production performance, labour utilisation, costs, and schedule compliance.

• Prepare and present regular operational performance reports to management.

• Coordinate closely with propagation, growing, and dispatch teams to ensure smooth execution of production plans.

• Support workforce planning and contribute to training on systems and operational procedures.

• Promote continuous improvement and operational excellence across production teams.

Additional Information:

• Accommodation options available for suitable candidates

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive feedback within three weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.