Director Production

About Botanica and Red Sea Global

Botanica, a subsidiary of Red Sea Global, specializes in providing sustainable greenery across Red Sea Global’s destinations. The company focuses on integrating new species with local flora and operates with a planet-first approach to sustainability. Since 2020, Botanica has cultivated over 5 million plants, with a target of 30 million by 2030, contributing to the natural landscapes of The Red Sea and Amaala in Tabuk, Umluj. The team includes 40% local community members and is committed to ecological harmony.

Role Summary

The Director Production will lead plant production at Botanica Red Sea. This full-time role involves overseeing the growth and supply of plant material from the 180-hectare nursery, which has an annual production capacity of 8 million plants. Key responsibilities include managing propagation, greenhouses, shade houses, flower and indoor plant production, the seed bank, and the native species program. The Director is also responsible for leading R&D and biosecurity initiatives. This position is accountable for plant quality, availability, biosecurity, safety, and production cost, ensuring supply to both internal Red Sea Global clients and external developments.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate demand plans into production, import, and growing plans (propagation, growing cycles, mother stock, imports) with the PMO.
• Achieve production volumes, plant readiness dates, germination, and survival targets; manage live plant inventory with accurate stock records.
• Review plant Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for all Red Sea Global and external projects; confirm availability, substitutions, and lead times.
• Agree on weekly readiness and dispatch schedules with the Director – Nursery Operations.
• Lead plant propagation (seed, cuttings, grafting, layering, division), greenhouses, shade houses, flower and food production, indoor plants, and the seed bank.
• Grow the native plant program and increase the share of native production.
• Apply crop management practices (scheduling, fertilization, IPM) to maximize quality and minimize losses.
• Own the Biosecurity Protocol, including inspection of incoming and imported material, phytosanitary documentation, quarantine, hygiene, and traceability.
• Lead the integrated pest and disease management (IPM) program and the R&D roadmap (propagation techniques, substrates, irrigation, climate-resilient species).
• Ensure compliance with MEWA requirements and the use of approved species only.
• Manage the direct cost budget for nursery production and R&D; control labor, materials, water, fuel, equipment, and wastage.
• Plan manpower, equipment, and materials with the PMO; report utilization and productivity weekly.
• Identify cost and delivery risks early and propose corrective actions.
• Lead managers, supervisors, horticulturists, and operatives across nursery production and R&D; drive competency, training, and supervision standards.
• Ensure zero-harm field operations, including permits, method statements, toolbox talks, PPE, and incident reporting with HSSE.
• Deliver the fixed responsibilities of a Department Head (Section ***
• Follow and enforce all relevant Botanica and Red Sea Global Group policies, delegation of authority (DoA), processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions.
• Apply and champion the safety, quality, and environmental management system (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and the compliance management system (ISO 37301).
• Identify and lead opportunities to improve departmental systems, processes, and practices against international best practice, focusing on cost reduction, productivity improvement, and client value.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture, or Agricultural Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in large-scale nursery or horticultural production, with at least 7 years leading production operations with a workforce of 100 or more.
• Proven experience in arid-climate horticulture, native species, biosecurity, and irrigation management, preferably in KSA or the GCC.
• Experience supplying plant material to large-scale landscape developments, including imported and specimen stock.

Work Environment

This role involves managing plant production for both internal Red Sea Global clients and external developments, where decisions today impact availability one to three years in advance due to long growing cycles. The position relies on Nursery Operations for water, soil, logistics, and equipment, requiring joint planning with the Director – Nursery Operations. Primary risks include plant losses from pests, disease, and heat, biosecurity incursions through imported stock, and changes in demand forecasts after growing has commenced.