Summary
Botanica, a subsidiary of Red Sea Global, is hiring a Director of Production to lead plant production at its nursery. The role oversees production planning, propagation, crop management, plant health, biosecurity, research and development, costs, and team leadership. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor's degree, at least 15 years of large-scale nursery or horticultural production experience, and at least seven years leading production operations with a workforce of 100 or more. The posting lists Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires fluent English; Arabic is preferred.
The posting
As published on redseaglobal.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Redefining Sustainability | Innovating for the Future | Creating a Lasting Impact
Botanica is a subsidiary of Red Sea Global and is part of the Red Sea Global Group of companies. We specialize in providing dedicated sustainable greenery across Red Sea Global’ s destinations ensuring careful integration of new species with local flora.
As a subsidiary, Botanica benefits from shared strategic goals and collaborative initiatives within the Red Sea Global group of companies, enhancing our ability to serve our clients effectively.
Spanning over 1 million square meters, driving our planet-first approach to sustainability. Since 2020, we have cultivated over 5 million plants, with an ambitious goal of 30 million by 2030, shaping the natural landscapes of The Red Sea & Amaala. With a team of passionate professionals—40% from the local community—and an unwavering commitment to ecological harmony, we are pioneering new global benchmarks in sustainable development.
Why Join Us?
- Sustainability at Scale: Be part of a project that’s transforming landscapes and preserving biodiversity.
- Innovate & Grow: Work with industry experts in a fast-evolving environment.
- Global Recognition: Join a company shaping the future of sustainable tourism and development.
- Work in a Natural Paradise: Contribute to world-class projects in breathtaking locations.
Be the Change. Join the World’s Most Visionary Developer
Job Purpose:
- Lead plant production at Botanica Red Sea: growing and supplying plant material from the 180-hectare nursery (annual production capacity of 8 million plants, including propagation, greenhouses and shade houses, flowers, indoor plants, the seed bank and the native species programme, and lead R&D and biosecurity.
- The role is accountable for plant quality, availability, biosecurity, safety and production cost, and for supplying what Commercial sells at the cost assumed in its pricing, for internal RSG clients and external developments.
Production Planning & Output
- Translate the approved demand plan 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 the live plant inventory with accurate stock records.
- Review plant Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for all RSG and external projects; confirm availability, substitutions and lead times before Commercial commits.
- Agree weekly readiness and dispatch schedules with the Director – Nursery Operations.
Nursery Production
- Lead plant propagation (seed, cuttings, grafting, layering, division), greenhouses and shade houses, flower and food production, indoor plants and the seed bank.
- Grow the native plant programme and the share of native production.
- Apply crop management practices (scheduling, fertilization, IPM) to maximize quality and minimize losses.
R&D, Plant Health & Biosecurity
- Own the Biosecurity Protocol: inspection of incoming and imported material, phytosanitary documentation, quarantine, hygiene and traceability.
- Lead the integrated pest and disease management (IPM) programme and the R&D roadmap (propagation techniques, substrates, irrigation, climate-resilient species).
- Ensure compliance with MEWA requirements and the use of approved species only.
Cost, Productivity & Resources
- Own the direct cost budget for nursery production and R&D; control labour, materials, water, fuel, equipment and wastage.
- Plan manpower, equipment and materials with the PMO; report utilization and productivity weekly.
- Name cost and delivery risks early; propose corrective actions rather than absorbing overruns silently.
People, HSSE & Leadership
- Lead managers, supervisors, horticulturists and operatives across nursery production and R&D; drive competency, training and supervision standards.
- Ensure zero-harm field operations: permits, method statements, toolbox talks, PPE and incident reporting with HSSE.
- Deliver the fixed responsibilities of a Department Head (Section 11.1).
Policies, Systems, Processes & Standards
- Follow and enforce all relevant Botanica and RSG Group policies, delegation of authority (DoA), processes, standard operating procedures and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled, auditable and consistent manner.
Safety, Quality & Environment
- Apply and champion the safety, quality and environmental management system (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and the compliance management system (ISO 37301) to ensure employee safety, legislative compliance, high-quality products and services, and a responsible environmental attitude.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and lead opportunities to improve the department's systems, processes and practices against international best practice, with a focus on cost reduction, productivity improvement and client value.
Job Requirements:
Qualification and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture or Agricultural Engineering; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum 15 years in large-scale nursery or horticultural production, of which at least 7 years leading production operations with a workforce of 100+.
- 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.
Skills:
- Production planning, inventory control and capacity management for live product.
- Labour productivity measurement, cost control and operational KPI management.
- IPM, biosecurity and phytosanitary compliance.
- HSSE leadership in field operations; fluent English, Arabic preferred.
Job Context:
- The role runs plant production for both internal RSG clients and external developments, where long growing cycles mean today's decisions set availability one to three years ahead.
- It depends on Nursery Operations for water, soil, logistics and equipment, so the two directors must plan jointly. Main risks are plant losses from pests, disease and heat, biosecurity incursions through imported stock, and demand forecasts that change after growing has started.
Functional (Technical) Competencies:
- Plant Propagation Techniques - Expert
- Nursery Crop Management & Cultural Practices - Expert
- Research & Development in Sustainable Production - Advanced
- Integrated Pest & Disease Management - Advanced
- Biosecurity & Phytosanitary Management - Advanced
- Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance - Advanced