Head Grower

Job Description

Our client is a family run business, spanning nearly 100 years specialising in the production of various formats of bedding, basket, and perennial plants. Growing over 50 million bedding plant plugs each year for professional growers and parks departmentsthroughout the UK, they sow, root, and grow all their own bedding, basket and perennial plants using their own experienced team. The company are an accredited grower under the British Ornamental Plant Producers and are dedicated to producing the finest qualityplants, primarily pot plant plugs, contract bedding, poinsettias, and garden centre flowering plants to transport directly to nurseries in the shortest possible time. As a company they are constantly upgrading their knowledge base and travel worldwide sourcingnew and improved varieties that will perform in the UK environment. They hold annual internal comparative trials at the nursery, and their own on-site garden centre gives an opportunity to showcase and trial new products at retail level. The successful candidate will work closely with the family Directors and contribute to the future decision making of the company, bringing new ideas and have the ability to act on them. You will be responsible for the growing operation over 5 acres of glassand poly tunnels, the nursery is fully automated with mobile benches and excellent environmental control. You will be looking at production planning, growing from seeds and cuttings through to plugs and finished plants and be responsible for the growing andkeeping cultural records of all the various crops. Crop planning, implementation, crop walking, irrigation and pest and disease monitoring will all fall into your remit. You will successfully manage and train a team of 25-50 people depending on the season,to ensure the highest quality stock is consistently being grown.

• Assisting with the forward planning and management of the nursery
• Purchasing of all stock and sundries required for nursery operations
• Leading teams on growing related tasks; to timescale and agreed standards
• Pest, disease, and quality control
• Ensuring the team are working safely, complying with relevant legislation
• Liaising with the owners and the sales team to ensure relevant paperwork is up to date
• Use and management of crop protection chemicals and PGRs

Key Skills:The ideal candidate will have previous experience at a high level in a commercial nursery environment and has a passion for horticulture. Applicants should hold an academic horticultural qualification as well as demonstrable experience in an associated roleon a similar scale.

• Most processes are computer controlled, from environmental computers to bespoke software for accurate plug production and dispatch so a good IT knowledge is essential.
• Relevant qualifications and training and experience in commercial greenhouse production.
• Knowledge of growing bedding plants, perennials, and poinsettias
• An understanding of growing from seed and propagating cutting material.
• Knowledge of the process of optimum germination techniques is essential likewise for rooting a diverse range of ornamental bedding and basket plants.
• Experience in managing and building a team, whilst improving quality and running the business more efficiently.
• Good organisational skills are essential in order to manage schedules and ensure product specifications are met on time.

If this Head Grower vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sophie Sharpe.Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Grower vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your applicationfor this Head Grower vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

Keyskills :
HorticultureNurseriesSeedBedding