Nursery Yard Foreman

Overview

Nursery Yard Foreman Jobs in Wadsworth, IL at Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc.

Company Overview

Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc. (CBLD) is a premier Landscape Design, Build, and Maintenance company that owns and operates its own Landscape Nursery. With approximately $16 million in annual sales and a dedicated team of over 125 employees, CBLD delivers high-quality, innovative landscape solutions to residential and commercial clients.

Position Summary

The Nursery Yard Foreman runs the day-to-day operations of CBLD’s woody nursery yard. Each day, the purchasing department (Senior Buyer and Purchasing Admins) issues Daily Sheets—Aspire’s Load Tickets—specifying the trees, shrubs, and other material needed for upcoming installation projects. The Nursery Yard Foreman pulls, stages, and organizes that material, then coordinates and physically assists with loading it onto CBLD trucks or prepares loads for pickup later in the day or the following morning. CBLD’s nursery supplies material exclusively for internal installation projects, so accuracy and coordination with project schedules are critical.

This is a hands-on working foreman role. The Nursery Yard Foreman leads a team of up to six nursery staff while personally performing the same physical work—digging, balling, burlapping, loading, watering, and maintaining plant material. The role also manages irrigation, monitors plant health, maintains nursery infrastructure, and handles inventory and shipping paperwork. When plant health issues arise, this role flags them to the horticultural staff and Nursery Operations Manager for diagnosis and treatment.

Reports to: Nursery Operations Manager

Collaborates with: Senior Buyer, Purchasing Admins, Nursery Horticultural Staff, CDL Drivers, Installation Crew Foremen, Project Managers, Head Grower, Plant Purchaser

Direct Reports: Informally directs the daily work of Nursery Technicians, Nursery Lead Technicians, and seasonal staff (up to 6 employees)

Core Capabilities

• Strong organizational skills for managing multiple Daily Sheets, shifting priorities, and concurrent yard operations
• Bilingual communication (English/Spanish) for coordinating with yard staff, purchasing department, and drivers
• Hands-on nursery production skills including digging, balling, burlapping, and maintaining stored plant material
• Strong plant identification and characterization—able to identify common Midwest species and assess shape, form, and quality
• Physical stamina for demanding outdoor work including lifting, loading, and operating equipment across full shifts
• Reliable self-direction and initiative—manages yard workflow without constant oversight
• Team-oriented leadership that motivates through hands-on participation and clear communication

Key Responsibilities

Order Fulfillment & Loading

• Review Daily Sheets from the purchasing department, confirming species, sizes, quantities, and delivery timing
• Pull, stage, and organize plant material in loading areas grouped by order and truck assignment; prepare loads in advance when scheduled for later pickup
• Coordinate loading schedules with CDL Drivers and Crew Foremen; physically assist with loading trucks, ensuring proper handling to prevent root ball, branch, or burlap damage
• Verify plant identification, quality, and counts against Daily Sheets and shipping paperwork before trucks depart

Plant Material Handling & Yard Operations

• Dig, ball, and burlap trees and shrubs; pin burlap securely and wire baskets as needed for transport-ready material
• Inspect and maintain aged burlap on stored material—re-burlap, re-pin, or re-wrap as needed to prevent root ball deterioration
• Heel in trees and shrubs with adequate mulch; manage yard layout for optimal spacing, sun/shade placement, and accessibility
• Receive incoming deliveries, inspect for quality and accuracy, and place in appropriate holding areas
• Conduct inventory using barcode readers; handle all receiving and shipping paperwork

Irrigation & Plant Health

• Manage daily watering schedules for all nursery stock, adjusting for weather, season, and plant needs
• Operate and perform basic maintenance on irrigation lines, hoses, sprinklers, and drip systems; repair minor leaks and clogs
• Conduct regular visual inspections for disease, pest damage, drought stress, or injury; flag concerns with location and symptom details to horticultural staff and the Nursery Operations Manager
• Follow IPM guidelines and maintain spraying equipment for treatment applications as directed

Facility & Equipment Maintenance

• Maintain hoop houses including cleaning and seasonal plastic and shade cloth installation and removal
• Perform routine equipment maintenance—cleaning, greasing, fueling, blowing out air filters, and proper storage of skid steers, tractors, mowers, sprayers, and hand tools
• Maintain nursery grounds including mowing, snow removal, and general facility upkeep; order supplies as needed

Team Coordination

• Direct daily work priorities for up to 6 nursery staff, assigning tasks and communicating the day’s Daily Sheet priorities and loading schedule each morning
• Maintain the weekly nursery work schedule, coordinating coverage up to 7 days per week during peak season
• Coordinate with the Head Grower and Plant Purchaser on incoming stock placement and growing area transitions
• Maintain safety program compliance; report staffing needs, attendance issues, and performance observations to the Nursery Operations Manager

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2-year horticulture degree or equivalent nursery production work experience
• Minimum 3 years of nursery production and maintenance experience, including ball-and-burlap operations
• Bilingual communication skills (English/Spanish)
• Strong plant identification and characterization skills for common Midwest trees, shrubs, and perennials
• Experience operating skid steers, tractors, forklifts, tree spades, and truck/trailer combinations
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs. repeatedly and perform physical labor in all weather conditions
• Valid, insurable driver’s license with a good driving record
• Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s License, or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire

Preferred

• Illinois Certified Nurseryman or Certified Landscape Technician (CLT)
• CDL license or willingness to obtain
• Experience with Aspire, barcode inventory systems, or mobile work order applications
• Working knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles

Work Conditions

• Seasonal full-time position (mid-March through December), based at CBLD’s nursery facility in Wadsworth, IL
• Physically demanding outdoor work in all weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, wind, dust, and mud
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout a full work shift; heavier loads handled with equipment
• Regular work around heavy equipment and vehicles; requires spatial awareness and strict safety protocol adherence
• Flexible hours including occasional weekends; coverage up to 7 days per week during peak spring and fall seasons

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive hourly rate: $24.00–$28.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. CBLD offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation and holidays, health insurance, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, and performance bonus incentives.

Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 – $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Title: Nursery Yard Foreman

Company: Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc.

Location: Wadsworth, IL