Assistant Manager

Ontario Native Plants is a growing online nursery dedicated to cultivating and distributing native plants sourced from Ontario seed. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and exceptional customer service has made us a trusted provider across the province. As we expand, we are seeking an Assistant Manager to help drive operational excellence and support our team throughout the busy growing and shipping seasons.

In this role, you will work closely with the Manager to oversee daily operations, lead supervisors and seasonal staff, and ensure smooth fulfillment and customer satisfaction. Your contributions will be vital to maintaining our high standards and supporting our mission of sustainable horticulture.

This posting reflects a current hiring need for our client. We use AI-assisted tools to help review resumes and identify potential candidate matches, however all hiring decisions are made by our team and the client directly.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting day-to-day operations alongside the Manager
• Helping lead supervisors and seasonal staff, including hiring, onboarding, and training
• Managing customer emails and resolving shipping issues
• Coordinating shipping schedules and capacity
• Maintaining online inventory and plant listings
• Assisting with ordering, reporting, and administrative tasks
• Supporting packing, pickups, and workflow during busy periods
• Stepping in to manage operations when the Manager is away

Hours

This role follows the seasons and hours fluctuate based on demand.

·         May to June (peak season) about 50 to 55 hours per week, including some Saturdays

·         March, April, July, August about 40 to 45 hours per week

·         September to November about 30 to 40 hours per week

·         December to February about 30 hours per week, mostly computer and planning work

Flexibility during the busy season is important.

What success looks like in the first 90 days

·         You understand the full shipping and order process

·         You can independently handle most customer and shipping issues

·         You are confidently supporting the team day to day

·         You move comfortably between desk work and hands on tasks

Required Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Horticulture, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or a related field
• 1–2 years of management or supervisory experience with formal people-management accountability, including staff scheduling and performance reviews
• Experience coordinating shipping logistics or fulfillment operations
• Experience working in a nursery, greenhouse, landscaping, or garden center environment
• Strong knowledge or experience with native plants or landscaping, including hands-on plant care (watering, pruning, fertilizing, overwintering, pest/disease management)
• Proficiency using computers and online systems for inventory management and customer communication, including POS/inventory software and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
• Experience in a customer-facing role handling inquiries and resolving issues via email
• Comfortable working outdoors and spending extended periods on your feet
• Valid Ontario G driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Professional working proficiency in English
• Legally authorized to work in Canada
• Available to work some Saturdays during peak season

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pesticide applicator license (Ontario)

• Competitive hourly wage of CA$25
• Extended health care benefits package
• Year-round employment with lighter winter hours
• Free parking
• Staff discounts on plants
• Dedicated office space