Profession horticulture production manager

Horticultural production managers plan the production, manage the enterprise and participate in the production

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Realistic
• Realistic / Enterprising
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Plant species

  The variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics. 

• Plant disease control

  Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.

• Project management principles

  Different elements and phases of project management.

• Watering principles

  Methods, principles and systems for supplying water to land or crops by means of pipes, sprinklers, ditches or streams.

• Plant propagation

  Types of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and quality.

• Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry

  Awareness on enviromental legislation, policies, principles relevant for agriculture and forestry. Awareness of the impact on the enviroment of local agricultural precedures and practices. Means to adjust the production to new enviromental regulations and policies.

• Budgetary principles

  Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.

• Types of storage facilities

  Different types of devices and facilities used to hold information and their quality criterias.

• Soil structure

  Diversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.

• Pruning types

  Different approached to pruning trees, such as thinning, removal, etc.

• Greenhouse types

  Different types of greenhouses (plastic, glass) and other horticultural facilities such as hotbed, seedbed, irrigations systems, storage and protective facilities etc.

• Quality criteria for storage facilities

  Quality criteria for storage facilities such as safe locking systems, ventilation, regularly inspected fireproofing systems, etc.

• Horticulture principles

  The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.

• Fertilisation principles

  The study of plant, soil structure, climatic and environmental issues in agronomical production.

• Crop production principles

  Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.

• Health and safety regulations

  Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

• Pest control in plants

  Types and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.

• Plant harvest methods

  The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.

• Leadership principles

  Set of traits and values which guide the actions of a leader with her/his employees and the company and provide direction throughout her/his career. These principles are also an important tool for self-evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses, and seek self-improvement.

• Pruning techniques

  The techniques of selectively removing parts of trees and plants to foster better growth and regeneration.

Skills

• Propagate plants

  Carry out propagation activities by applying appropriate propagation methods, such as grafted cutting propagation or generative propagation considering the plant type. Carry out propagation control considering the required terms and conditions for specific plant type.

• Store crops

  Store and preserve crops in accordance with standards and regulations to ensure their quality. Ensure that storage facilities are kept according to hyginic standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.

• Operate horticulture equipment

  Operate horticultural equipment and assist with servicing. Ensure that vehicles are roadworthy before starting the work.

• Supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings

  Ensure that hygiene procedures in agricultural settings are followed, taking into account the regulations of specific areas of action e.q. livestock, plants, local farm products, etc.

• Make independent operating decisions

  Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.

• Ensure soil fertility

  Analyse soil to determine type and quantity of fertiliser required for maximum production.

• Harvest crop

  Mow, pick or cut agricultural products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery. Take into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and use the appropriate methods.

• Execute disease and pest control activities

  Execute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations. Store and handle pesticides in accordance with recomandation and legislation.

• Develop agricultural production plans

  Develop plans for planting, calculate crop input requirements for all stages of the growth.

• Create soil and plant improvement programmes

  Develop and advise on implementation of soil health and plant nutrition programs.

• Prune plants

  Carry out pruning with relevant tools, related to the different purposes like maintenance pruning, pruning for growth, pruning for fruiting, debudding and volume reduction.

• Monitor fields

  Monitor orchards, fields and production areas to forecast when crops will be fully grown. Estimate how much damage the weather may cause to crops.

• Optimise production

  Analyse and identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; formulate and plan alternatives.

• Maintain plant soil nutrition

  Manage and support overall soil nutrition. Practice sustainable gardening techniques and integrated pest management in gardens both outdoor and indoor.

• Use agricultural information systems and databases

  Use relevant information systems and databases to plan, manage and operate agricultural enterprise and production.

• Coordinate greenhouse environment

  Take care of the heating and cooling of greenhouses. Work together with the Grounds and Buildings Manager in keeping the irrigation systems and the horticultural equipment in good condition.

• Maintain plant health

  Manage and support overall plant health. Practice sustainable gardening techniques and integrated pest management in gardens both outdoor and indoor.

• Supervise crop production

  Supervise and analyse overall crop production in order to ensure effective production process, taking into account the environmental regulations.

• Grow plants

  Carry out plant growing activities. Carry out grow control considering the required terms and conditions for specific plant type.

• Store products

  Store products to ensure the quality and in accordance with standards and regulations. Ensure the stock facilities are kept according to hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.

• Maintain storage facilities

  Maintain or ensure the maintenance of cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning of storage facilities and the temperature of premises.

• Prepare planting area

  Prepare planting area and soil for planting by for example fertilising, mulching by hand or using mechanical tools or machinery; prepare seeds and plants for sowing and planting by ensuring the quality of seed and plants.Sow and plant by hand, using mechanical tools or machinery and in accordance with national legislation.

• Manage production enterprise

  Organise and instruct staff, plan production strategies and programmes including sales. Carry out input purchase orders, materials, equipment and manage stocks etc. Awareness of demands of the businesses customers and adjustments accordingly to plans and strategies. Estimate resources and control budget of enterprise applying business economics, production development and project management principles.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB