Red Sea Global
Director, Plant Production
- Permanent
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Experience 15 - 20 yrs
Job expiry date: 30/11/2026
Job overview
Date posted
16/10/2026
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Salary
SAR 40,000 - 50,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Job description
Long growing cycles mean that decisions taken in Botanica Red Sea's 180-hectare nursery today set plant availability one to three years ahead. With annual capacity of 8 million plants, the operation covers propagation, greenhouses and shade houses, flowers, indoor plants, the seed bank and a growing native species programme. Production, import and growing plans flow from the approved demand plan and are built with the PMO, while plant BOQs are reviewed before Commercial commits and weekly readiness and dispatch schedules are agreed with the Director, Nursery Operations. R&D and biosecurity also sit with you, including the Biosecurity Protocol, IPM, phytosanitary documentation, quarantine and compliance with MEWA requirements. The direct cost budget for production and R&D is yours, covering labour, materials, water, fuel, equipment and wastage, and plants must be supplied at the cost Commercial has assumed in its pricing. Managers, supervisors, horticulturists and operatives across production and R&D report into the department, and zero-harm field operations are expected under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 37301 systems. Pests, disease, heat, biosecurity incursions through imported stock and shifting demand forecasts are the main risks to manage. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture or Agricultural Engineering and at least 15 years in large-scale nursery or horticultural production, including 7 years leading a workforce of 100+. Arid-climate and native species experience, ideally in KSA or the GCC, is important, and fluent English is required with Arabic preferred.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Translate the approved demand plan into production, import and growing plans with the PMO
- Achieve production volumes, readiness dates and germination and survival targets while keeping accurate live plant inventory records
- Review plant BOQs for RSG and external projects and confirm availability, substitutions and lead times before Commercial commits
- Agree weekly readiness and dispatch schedules with the Director, Nursery Operations
- Lead propagation, greenhouses and shade houses, flower and food production, indoor plants and the seed bank
- Grow the native plant programme and its share of total production
- Apply crop management practices including scheduling, fertilization and IPM to maximise quality and minimise losses
- Own the Biosecurity Protocol, covering inspection of imported material, phytosanitary documentation, quarantine, hygiene and traceability
- Direct the IPM programme and the R&D roadmap for propagation techniques, substrates, irrigation and climate-resilient species
- Ensure compliance with MEWA requirements and the use of approved species only
- Control the direct cost budget for production and R&D, including labour, materials, water, fuel, equipment and wastage
- Plan manpower, equipment and materials with the PMO
- Report utilisation and productivity weekly
- Flag cost and delivery risks early and propose corrective actions
- Develop managers, supervisors, horticulturists and operatives through competency, training and supervision standards
- Enforce zero-harm field operations through permits, method statements, toolbox talks, PPE and incident reporting with HSSE
- Deliver the fixed responsibilities of a Department Head
- Uphold Botanica and RSG Group policies, DoA, processes and SOPs so work stays controlled and auditable
- Champion the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 37301 management systems
- Improve department systems and practices against international best practice to cut cost and raise productivity
Experience & skills
- Hold a bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture or Agricultural Engineering, with a master's degree preferred
- Bring at least 15 years of experience in large-scale nursery or horticultural production
- Offer at least 7 years leading production operations with a workforce of 100+
- Demonstrate experience in arid-climate horticulture, native species, biosecurity and irrigation management, preferably in KSA or the GCC
- Show experience supplying plant material, including imported and specimen stock, to large-scale landscape developments
- Apply strong production planning, inventory control and capacity management skills for live product
- Manage labour productivity, cost control and operational KPIs
- Lead HSSE in field operations
- Speak fluent English, with Arabic preferred