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General Manager – Midwest

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About the Role
Bailey Nurseries is seeking a General Manager – Midwest to provide leadership and operational oversight for its Midwest/Eastern operations across Illinois, Minnesota, and Georgia. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, this role leads day-to-day operations through the Production Leadership Team, aligning staffing, production plans, quality standards, operational priorities, and business objectives across assigned locations.
The General Manager will partner with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence, financial accountability, safety, compliance, continuous improvement, and consistent execution. The successful candidate will bring extensive nursery production knowledge, strong business acumen, and proven leadership experience managing people, operations, and business performance across complex environments.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Provide leadership and operational oversight for Midwest/Eastern operations.
- Lead the Production Leadership Team across assigned locations.
- Align operational priorities, staffing needs, production plans, quality standards, and business goals.
- Maintain a hands-on leadership approach and strong communication across assigned facilities.
- Support consistent execution of company goals across locations.
People Leadership and Culture
- Lead through managers by establishing clear expectations and accountability.
- Develop leadership capability and support succession planning.
- Align teams across multiple locations.
- Promote a workplace culture focused on safety, accountability, excellence, growth, and company Core Values.
- Manage personnel matters, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and corrective action.
Production, Assets, and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure effective use of people, land, equipment, plants, and other nursery resources.
- Oversee resources throughout planning, propagation, planting, harvest, storage, and shipping.
- Support production of high-quality nursery stock in a profitable and sustainable manner.
- Promote efficiency and continuous improvement through improved processes, yields, automation, technology, continuing education, and Lean manufacturing principles.
Financial and Business Accountability
- Provide operational financial leadership, including budget planning, labor cost management, productivity, capital planning input, operational forecasting, and profitability goals.
- Monitor expenses, payables, financial reports, operational metrics, and other business information.
- Use business and operational information to support effective decision-making.
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Documentation, Compliance, and Risk Management
- Establish and maintain centralized documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures, property information, regulatory or legal information, and other key operational records.
- Partner with HR, Safety, Compliance, and operational leaders on regulatory compliance.
- Support consistent employee relations practices, safety expectations, seasonal workforce needs, and operational risk management.
Cross-Functional and Strategic Partnership
- Partner with internal stakeholders to align labor, production, inventory, customer demand, safety, financial goals, and business priorities.
- Collaborate with the West Coast General Manager and leadership team to develop, communicate, and execute long-term operational strategy.
- Maintain relationships with industry organizations, customers, vendors, neighbors, and other appropriate stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 8 years of relevant industry experience.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience with responsibility for people leadership, operational execution, and business performance.
- Extensive knowledge of nursery production.
- Strong business acumen and ability to lead complex operational functions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large teams through pressure, change, and operational demands.
- Strong resilience, adaptability, and accountability.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to prepare and present business information to employees, leaders, and key stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to professionally and consistently manage personnel matters, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and corrective action.
- Ability to travel as needed to Bailey operations, industry events, and customer locations.
- Proficiency with technology tools used to support business operations, including Microsoft Office, reporting systems, ERP platforms, inventory software, and other internal systems.
- Valid driver's license and ability to meet company criteria for insurability.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Business, or a related field.
- Equivalent experience may be considered.
Skills & Competencies
- Nursery Production
- Operations Management
- Operational Leadership
- People Leadership
- Team Development
- Business Acumen
- Financial Accountability
- Budget Planning
- Labor Cost Management
- Operational Forecasting
- Production Planning
- Quality Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean Manufacturing Principles
- Process Improvement
- Automation and Technology
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Safety
- Inventory Management
- ERP Systems
- Microsoft Office
- Reporting Systems
- Vendor and Customer Relationships
- Strategic Planning
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Communication
- Accountability
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving


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Education & Experience
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Business, or a related field is preferred.
- Equivalent experience is also accepted.
Experience:
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience required.
- 5+ years of leadership experience with responsibility for people leadership, operational execution, and business performance required.
- Extensive nursery production knowledge required.
Work Arrangement & Schedule
- Location: Newport, Minnesota, United States
- Work Arrangement: Onsite
- Employment Type: Full-time status is not explicitly stated in the source; FLSA status is Exempt.
- Work Environment: Office, nursery, greenhouse, field, production, storage, and shipping environments.
- Travel: Required as needed to Bailey operations, industry events, and customer locations.
- Schedule: Not specifically stated.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $145,000–$165,000 annually.
- The original job description does not provide a specific benefits package.
Compliance / Additional Information
- This position may involve exposure to outdoor weather conditions, uneven surfaces, equipment traffic, dust, dirt, noise, and other conditions common to nursery and agricultural operations. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, communicate, use a computer, review documents, attend meetings, and move throughout office and operational areas.
- Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
- Bailey Nurseries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.
- Employment with Bailey Nurseries is at-will and may be terminated by either party in accordance with applicable law. Reasonable accommodation is available during the application process.
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