Seek Fair Compensation and Title; Current Offer Undervalues Your Extensive Responsibilities.
Your request for 55K and a title change to 'Project Manager' or 'Operations Manager' makes sense, given the wide range of responsibilities you handle. You're practically running the show, from planning and design to planting and sales. The 48K counter-offer just doesn't cut it—it undervalues your contributions and the breadth of your role. A better opportunity means getting the right compensation and a title that truly reflects your work and supports your career growth, which "Greenhouse Manager" simply doesn’t do.
How:
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Negotiate further with your current employer: Clearly lay out all the ways you contribute (planning, design, planting, sales) and the market value for roles with such a broad scope. Emphasize that this is more in line with project or operations management than a narrowly defined "Greenhouse Manager." Stress that it's not just about the salary; it's also about a title that opens up better career progression, like "Project Manager" or "Operations Manager." Point out that you manage these critical functions almost single-handedly, which should give you strong leverage.
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If negotiations fail or don't meet your expectations: Start looking for other opportunities. Your experience in planning, design, horticultural processes, and sales is highly valuable. Update your resume to highlight these responsibilities as project management and/or operations management skills and achievements, rather than just tasks under a "Greenhouse Manager" title. Target roles like Project Manager, Operations Manager, or specialized roles like Horticultural Operations Manager in larger companies or different sectors where these skills are in high demand.
Expected Benefits:
- Achieving a salary closer to your 55K target or even higher in a new role.
- Obtaining a title like 'Project Manager' or 'Operations Manager,' which offers better future career prospects and accurately reflects your current responsibilities.
- Gaining proper recognition for the significant scope of your work.