Lead Grower/Nursery Manager

Lead Grower / Nursery Manager Essex £DOE

Do you love growing? This is an opportunity to take the lead at a thriving commercial nursery, driving crop production, leading a team and shaping the performance of a busy ornamental growing nursery.

This is a hands-on leadership role within a sizeable commercial growing operation, producing ornamental bedding plants, vegetables and traded material for its own garden centres. The nursery operates predominantly under glass, with moveable growing tables and a strong focus on efficient, consistent production.

The role:

As Lead Grower / Nursery Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the nursery and ensure production is delivered to plan, particularly through the key spring and summer growing periods.

What's on offer?

• Competitive salary
• Potential bonus scheme, dependent on company performance
• 28 days' holiday including bank holidays
• The opportunity to take genuine ownership of a commercial growing operation
• A hands-on role with scope to introduce new ideas and improve the way the site operates
• The opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and make a visible impact

You will be:

• Taking ownership of the nursery's growing and production activities.
• Following and delivering the agreed production plan, ensuring plants are ready to meet commercial demand.
• Leading and developing the nursery team, including agency staff during peak periods.
• Planning and organising labour effectively as the nursery moves into its busiest periods.
• Monitoring crop quality, timing and presentation to ensure the required standards are met.
• Working closely with the wider business and key stakeholders to ensure production meets customer and garden centre requirements.
• Helping to improve existing growing and operational practices, bringing new ideas and ways of working to the site.
• Supporting the business with purchasing, planning and the movement of young plants and other growing materials.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience working in a commercial nursery or growing operation.
• Experience of growing ornamental plants, bedding or similar crops.
• PA1 and PA6 qualifications.
• Previous supervisory, team leader or management experience.
• Good understanding of commercial production and the importance of meeting demand, quality and deadlines.
• The ability to understand the connection between growing, customer requirements and the commercial side of the business.
• A practical, hands-on approach and a willingness to get stuck in.
• A down-to-earth, personable approach with the ability to build strong relationships across the business.