Tree Nursery Operations Manager

Are you a horticulturalist looking for an exciting opportunity?

We are seeking an experienced horticulturalist to further develop and run a large-scale commercial nursery.

About the role

You will be responsible for both planning and budgeting as well as the day-to-day practical delivery including overseeing all managerial functions including hiring and training employees and liaising with customers. This role also includes managing a small-scale cell grown production unit at Coughton Park run on organic principles. The role is hands-on and lots of the working day will be spent outside in all weathers.
  
This role will report to the Chief Executive and will be supported by our Assistant Tree Nursery Manager, who is a specialist in supporting young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to achieve their full potential.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for horticulture and possess the necessary skills to manage a diverse range of bare root trees from seed to sapling. You will also share our commitment to reduce or eliminate chemical pesticide use.

Duties

• Plan and coordinate the planting and care of various bare root trees in the nursery
• Grow bare root trees to use as stock for the Heart of England Forest and other customers, determining the types and quantities of native broadleaf trees to be grown based on targets, projected sales volumes, and/or executive directives.
• Manage nursery staff and provide guidance on plant maintenance techniques
• Plan, monitor and maintain irrigation systems to ensure trees receive adequate water
• Monitor growing conditions and take appropriate action to protect tree stock, paying particular attention to adverse weather conditions and plant health and resilience.
• Maintain and manage tree nursery equipment in good condition.
• Set up and implement the best standards in tree nursery management and identify continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure we maintain our Plant Healthy certification scheme accreditation

Skills

• Significant experience working within a commercial tree nursery, Garden Centre, or other commercial horticultural background.
• Good horticultural knowledge from selecting seed to growing and nurturing tree stock, including. detailed knowledge of plant production, soil, fertilisers, and growing techniques.
• Ability to repair and maintain nursery equipment
• Skilful with both hand tools and machinery for plant maintenance tasks
• Excellent customer service skills.

The Heart of England Forest is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Applicants must be willing to undergo protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS disclosure. 

Please note this post is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.

If this sounds like the job for you, please download our candidate pack to find out more!

Apply

To apply for this role, please send your CV and a supporting statement summarising how your skills and experience meet the job requirements .  Please submit these and an equality and diversity monitoring form to jobs@heartofenglandforest.org.