Director Nursery Operations

About Red Sea Global and Botanica

Red Sea Global is seeking a Director of Nursery Operations for Botanica, a subsidiary specializing in sustainable greenery for Red Sea Global's destinations. Botanica integrates new species with local flora, operating across 1 million square meters with a focus on 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. This full-time position is based in Tabuk, specifically in Umluj and Tabuk, and requires over 10 years of experience.

Role Purpose

The Director of Nursery Operations will lead the operational functions of the 180-hectare Botanica site. This includes overseeing field operations, plant maintenance, plant protection, irrigation and water management (2,000–4,000 m3 per day), soil mix and growing media production, logistics, receiving and dispatch, and facilities, fleet, and workshop management. The primary objective is to ensure plant health, timely and complete order fulfillment, and safe and efficient site operations for all business units.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and organize all nursery areas, including planting zones (1,533,100 m2), shading (173,800 m2), and mother stock areas.
• Oversee routine maintenance of nursery stock, including weeding, pruning, spacing, cleaning, and daily plant health monitoring.
• Implement plant protection measures in accordance with the IPM and biosecurity program.
• Design, operate, and maintain the irrigation network and pump stations, setting schedules by zone and season.
• Monitor water quality, flow, and consumption, focusing on reducing freshwater use through TSE, drip, and smart irrigation.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans for water supply interruptions and system failures.
• Source raw materials and produce consistent soil mixes and substrates to approved recipes, supplying internal sections and external clients.
• Manage receiving of local and imported plants and materials, coordinating with Biosecurity for inspection and quarantine.
• Plan and execute dispatch against confirmed orders, including picking, loading, transport, and delivery documentation.
• Coordinate imports through the bonded facility and maintain accurate stock movement records.
• Implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans for facilities, greenhouses, shade structures, and equipment.
• Manage fleet availability, utilization, and compliance, overseeing workshops and the asset register.
• Manage the Nursery Operations budget, including labor, water, energy, fuel, spares, and maintenance.
• Allocate manpower, machinery, and transport across sections, supporting Production and Landscape Maintenance requests.
• Report monthly KPIs and identify operational risks with corrective actions.
• Lead section heads, supervisors, and operatives, setting competency and training standards.
• Control high-risk activities in collaboration with HSSE, including machinery, chemicals, lifting, driving, and heat stress.
• Fulfill the responsibilities of a Department Head as outlined in Section **
• Ensure adherence to all relevant Botanica and RSG Group policies, delegation of authority (DoA), processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions.
• 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 for continuous improvement in departmental systems, processes, and practices, focusing on cost reduction, productivity, and client value.

Work Environment and Context

Nursery Operations supports all Botanica business units, including Production, Landscape Maintenance, and Commercial. The role is critical, as operational failures, such as irrigation outages during peak heat or equipment breakdowns, can lead to significant losses and project delays. This position requires a proactive approach focused on prevention and redundancy to mitigate risks effectively.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in nursery operations or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing large-scale operations and teams.
• Strong understanding of sustainable practices in horticulture and nursery management.
• Experience with irrigation systems, water management, and soil science.
• Proficiency in budget management, resource allocation, and performance reporting.
• Knowledge of HSSE standards and compliance management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 37301).