Director of Greenhouse

The Director of Greenhouse Operations is accountable for the day-to-day execution of greenhouse operations at Ontario Plants. This role translates the COO’s operational strategy, standards, and priorities into disciplined, predictable execution on the ground. The role provides direct leadership over growing, operations, and maintenance teams, ensuring consistent plant quality, operational discipline, workforce readiness, and asset reliability.

This is a senior operational leadership role requiring a strong on-site presence, focused on execution, standardization, throughput, quality, and continuous improvement across multiple sites.

About our client

Ontario Plants is more than a propagation company — they are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. As a leader in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, they specialize in producing high-quality starter plants for vegetables and soft fruits, delivering to greenhouse growers across North America. Their state-of-the-art facilities combine advanced technology, strict biosecurity, and year-round production to meet the evolving needs of their customers. They are expanding their soft fruits program, making this an exciting time to join a team committed to growth, quality, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day greenhouse operations across multiple sites to ensure safe, efficient, and predictable execution.
• Direct all core operational functions, including Growing, Operations, Maintenance, Biosecurity, Sowing, Shipping, and Post‑Harvest.
• Ensure crops are produced on time and to the required quality, yield, and cost standards.
• Standardize and continuously improve operating procedures, workflows, labor models, and performance systems.
• Monitor key operational KPIs and drive root‑cause analysis with timely corrective actions.
• Translate production plans into daily and weekly staffing needs and address workforce gaps proactively.
• Partner with HR and Finance to align labor, staffing, and budget requirements.
• Manage OPEX and CAPEX budgets, analyze cost variances, and implement cost‑control initiatives.
• Lead and develop managers and greenhouse teams while fostering a disciplined, data-driven, high‑performance culture.
• Maintain rigorous quality control, biosecurity, hygiene, and documentation practices.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Sales, Planning, R&D, Finance, and senior leadership to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, proactively manage operational risks, and maintain audit‑ready systems.
• Champion technology, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives to scale efficiency and operational consistency.

Qualifications

Required

• Proven senior leadership experience in greenhouse operations, manufacturing, or complex production environments.
• Strong operational execution mindset with experience running multi-disciplinary teams.
• Deep understanding of plant production systems, greenhouse technology, and operational controls.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, cost control, and capital planning.
• Experience scaling operations through standardization, systems, and process discipline.
• Clear communicator with strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.

Compensation & Work Environment

• Base salary range: $125,000 – $175,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
• Eligibility for a performance-based annual incentive, subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, plus retirement savings plan.
• A pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
• Opportunities for career advancement in a rapidly expanding organization.
• A dynamic and friendly work environment, with an active social committee organizing events such as sports activities, BBQs, and fun gatherings.
• Thrive in a supportive, team-focused environment with work-life balance, team events, and perks like coffee/snack corners and referral bonuses.