5 Horticulture jobs in South Africa

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Horticultural Supervisor and Buyer, based in Sunningdale, Cape Town.

Purpose: To maximize the sales of the Company's nursery range of products through effective displays, maintenance of sales areas and assistance to customers in a helpful and friendly manner, offering advice as and when required. Assume overall responsibility of product quality in the outdoor area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitors and controls purchases, quality, pricing, labelling, promotions and displays of all horticultural products.
• Regularly implements promotions.
• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Monitors and analyses stock movement.
• Evaluates product range on an ongoing basis and recommends suitable alternatives as requested.
• Ensure that all plants are regularly fed, watered, pruned, and staked when necessary and are maintained in the highest quality.
• Identify problem areas regarding plants.
• Advise sales assistant of application of fertilizers / insecticides / herbicides in the outdoor area as and when required.
• Provide input with regards to monthly and/or seasonal newsletters for customers.
• Always provides good customer service.
• Assists customers with product selection and answers customer queries giving assistance wherever necessary.
• Provides prompt feedback to customers regarding outstanding queries, within the time frames requested.
• Assumes responsibility for the security and safekeeping of all stock in the outdoor area.
• Plan purchases in line with budgeted forecasts and sales history.
• Negotiate best price, terms, quality, and most cost-effective mode of transport.
• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Expedite orders weekly and review quantities required & delivery dates.
• Receive deliveries of plants, ensuring correct plants received and that the quality is of the highest standard.
• Ensures that stock is always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Ensure that sales staff provides excellent, professional customer service always, ensuring positive shopping experience.
• Ensure that all company procedures are executed in the correct manner by sales staff.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma / Degree in Horticulture (Essential)
• 3+ years' experience in retail and management / horticulturist (Essential)
• Time Management Skills
• Retail Hours
• Excellent on Systems

The main purpose of this job is to maintain University grounds, open spaces and gardens within the ambit of Horticulture services.

• Garden maintenance
• General weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning, cleaning, litter collection and other maintenance of open spaces in the University grounds
• Horticulture Nursery: weeding, planting, sweeping and general maintenance
• Safe use and cleaning of Horticulture tools and equipment

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Basic understanding of all relevant Safety, Health and Environmental requirements
• Ability to work in a noisy and hazardous environment
• Attention to Detail
• Teamwork
• Knowledge and understanding of gardening materials and equipment
• Knowledge and understanding of the minimum specifications and guidelines or requirements

• Grade 8 or higher national qualification
• Normally 0-12 months relevant and / or related working experience
• Physical fitness and ability to work outside

DISCLAIMER:Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 26 September 2025.

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Horticultural Supervisor and Buyer, based in Sunningdale, Cape Town.

Purpose: To maximize the sales of the Company’s nursery range of products through effective displays, maintenance of sales areas and assistance to customers in a helpful and friendly manner, offering advice as and when required. Assume overall responsibility of product quality in the outdoor area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitors and controls purchases, quality, pricing, labelling, promotions and displays of all horticultural products.


• Regularly plans, negotiates and implements promotions.


• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.


• Monitors and analyses stock movement.


• Evaluates product range on an ongoing basis and recommends suitable alternatives as requested.


• Ensure that all plants are regularly fed, watered, pruned, and staked when necessary and are maintained in the highest quality.


• Identify problem areas regarding plants.


• Advise sales assistant of application of fertilizers / insecticides / herbicides in the garden centre as and when required.


• Provide input with regards to monthly and/or seasonal newsletters for customers.


• Always provides good customer service.


• Assists customers with product selection and answers customer queries giving assistance wherever necessary.


• Provides prompt feedback to customers regarding outstanding queries, within the time frames requested.


• Assumes responsibility for the security and safekeeping of all stock in the garden centre.


• Plan purchases in line with budgeted forecasts and sales history.


• Negotiate best price, terms, quality, and most cost-effective mode of transport.


• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.


• Expedite orders weekly and review quantities required & delivery dates.


• Oversee the receiving of deliveries of plants, ensuring correct plants received and that the quality is of the highest standard.


• Ensure that sales staff provides excellent, professional customer service always, ensuring positive shopping experience.


• Ensure that all company procedures are executed in the correct manner by sales staff.


• Assume the role of acting manager over weekends and as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma / Degree in Horticulture (Essential)


• 3+ years’ experience in retail and management / horticulturist (Essential)


• Time Management Skills


• Retail Hours including Saturdays and Sundays


• Excellent on Systems


• Methodical and Organised

The Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government has an opportunity for a competent and suitably qualified individual to present practical and theoretical classes/courses to students and other role players in Agriculture.

An appropriate 4-year BSc degree (equivalent or higher qualification) majoring in Horticulture; A minimum of 3 years appropriate experience in Horticulture; A valid driving license (Code B or higher).

None.

Prepare lesson plans and present practical, theoretical and/or short courses; Renewal and development of course material and study guides; Assessment of students; Administrative responsibility; Keep abreast of applicable prescripts, policies, procedure, technologies and new developments in the subject field.

Proven knowledge of Pome fruit, Stone fruit, and Citrus fruit production; Skills in the following: Written and verbal communication; Proven computer literacy; Leadership, planning and organising; Formal training and presentation.

R R per annum (Salary level 8)

Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit copies of their documentation for verification purposes. These candidates will be required to complete a practical assessment and attend the interview on a date and time as determined by the department and may also be required to undergo competency assessments/proficiency test. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department.

By applying for this position, you are consenting to the Western Cape Government contacting your previous employers/managers for an employment reference. Reference checks will include enquiries relating to your disciplinary records and reasons for leaving.

Should you experience difficulties with your online application, kindly note that technical support (challenges with online application) is only available from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to You may contact the helpline at Otherwise, all other queries relating to the position, kindly contact the enquiries person as indicated in the advert. Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit copies of their documentation for verification purposes. These candidates will be required to complete a practical assessment and attend the interview on a date and time as determined by the department and may also be required to undergo competency assessments/proficiency test. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department.

By applying for this position, you are consenting to the Western Cape Government contacting your previous employers/managers for an employment reference. Reference checks will include enquiries relating to your disciplinary records and reasons for leaving.

Should you experience difficulties with your online application, kindly note that technical support (challenges with online application) is only available from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to You may contact the helpline at Otherwise, all other queries relating to the position, kindly contact the enquiries person as indicated in the advert. Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered.