Assistant Plant Nursery Manager

Location: Enfield, EN2

Hours: 7am – 4pm (winter) / 7.30am – 4.30am (summer) – We are a sociable bunch, who sometimes work unsociable hours – you must be able to work flexibly during our busy periods (March – July) including some weekends.

Salary & Benefits: £28.5k per annum – will be reviewed upon successful completion of probation period. Annual bonus based on company sales & personal performance, 28 days holidays (including bank holidays), fully equipped & modern staff canteen, staff games/wellbeing room, free parking

About Anglo Aquatic

Anglo Aquatic are a family-owned business that have been growing and supplying the most comprehensive range of high-quality aquatic plants in the UK for over 60 years to Garden Centres, Landscaper, Developers and Internet based customers. We are run by an exceptional and dedicated team who have over 100 years combined experience of growing and producing over 180 species of cold-water plants, priding ourselves on our high quality, our customer-first approach and the fact many of our customers have been with us for decades. As well as growing and supplying beautiful water plants, we support our customers with expert knowledge and advice, operating flexibly to adapt to their needs.

We have won many prestigious Horticulture awards over the years, including the Tudor-Rose Award (best in show) numerous times at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, being the first company to bring the Swimming Pond landscaping concept to the UK from Northern Europe.

About the opportunity

Our busiest time of year runs from March to July and outside of these times, our production team are busy in our Nursery growing, nurturing and preparing stock for the following year.

We now have a leadership development opportunity for an Assistant Nursery Manager, to work closely alongside and support the Nursery Manager to oversee all operations of the nursery, including supervising staff, monitoring plant health, and taking the initiative on a wide variety of operational tasks. Initially leading the Potting Operations (our vital all-year-around activity) to learn the details of the production cycle at Anglo, your role will then develop and be trained on all other aspects of production operations on the nursery as the busy season slows down.

This is a physically demanding role that requires a sound level of fitness, manual dexterity and a high degree of competence with plant and machinery. You will be leading the management of logistics around the nursery as well as leading the Nursery team – organising and distributing work against the year's potting schedule and ensuring they have the tools and resources required for them to effectively do their roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Shadowing the Nursery Manager across Production Operations on the Nursery, understanding the overall production infrastructure, systems and processes – plant machinery, logistics, irrigation systems, pumps, and plant quality.
• You'll be solely responsible for the Potting Operations, ensuring the safe and efficient running of the Potting Machine - including changing pot sizes, keeping correct soil mixes continually topped up and overseeing production quality.
• You will be driving Forklifts, Telehandlers and other plant machinery to ensure Potting operations run smoothly and with minimal down-time
• Managing logistics around site safely and efficiently
• Loading/unloading lorries, liaising with delivery drivers and supply chain
• Building great working relationships with the nursery Production Team, setting clear expectations on tasks in daily morning briefings
• Supervise nursery Production Team and delegate tasks as necessary
• Maintain inventory and ensure the availability of necessary supplies, placing orders where necessary
• Implement and enforce safety and health regulations
• Train new staff members on nursery procedures and safety protocols
• Monitor plant health and troubleshoot/communicate any issues to the Nursery Manager and Planner
• Manage plant production, including seeding, watering, pruning, and pest control
• Oversee the utilisation of equipment such as power tools and machinery for various maintenance tasks.
• Maintain accurate records of plant inventory, growth progress, and maintenance schedules.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations and environmental standards.

The Working Environment – what to expect

• 4 acres of greenhouses across a 6-acre site and split into a grid system which includes a large packing shed, Potting Shed, Propagation House, Lily Block, Storage Facility and Marginal Plant blocks accommodating the variety of pot sizes we supply. Summers will be hot/dusty
• We enjoy plenty of visiting wildlife in our greenhouses, including robins, newts, frogs, foxes, and a variety of wild birds
• Office containing shower facilities, large training room, fully operational, modern and clean staff canteen with full kitchen appliances and equipment and outdoor seating area.
• A fully equipped staff games & fitness room with vaulted ceiling and storage for personal gym & training equipment
• A friendly, hard-working office team operates all year round to support our production operations team
• Annual summer BBQ on-site to celebrate the end of each busy season

About You

You will be mechanically minded, physically fit, an exceptional problem-solver, highly organised, and someone who readily takes the lead & initiative in situations. This is an excellent leadership development opportunity for somebody looking to progress their career in Horticulture/Production into operational management.

This is an outdoors, site-based role, a greenhouse environment that will see you working in all elements, all year around. It's likely you'll have a passion for outdoor pursuits, team leadership-based activities and/or mechanical projects in your personal time – having a curious interest in how things fit together, systems work, and an enthusiasm for learning.

Previous plant knowledge (or Horticultural qualification) is not necessarily required, as you'll learn quickly on the job – however you should be willing to learn, have an interest in Horticulture and the activities associated with running a world-class plant production facility. We take a pride in our high standards and overall cleanliness and organisation of our nursery production operations.

Personal Attributes

• You have high standards of self and others
• You inspire and motivate others – 'mucks in' and lead by example
• You're analytically minded – detail oriented, have a fluency with all things mechanical and like to understand 'how things work'
• Completer-finisher – you see problems through to resolution
• Sense of urgency – operates to timescales quickly, effectively and safely

Skills & Experience

• Team-leadership – a minimum of 2-3 years relevant team leadership experience, gained across either professional setting or personal interests
• Minimum 2-3 years' experience defining and leading time-critical site-based operational activities against a plan within a relevant heavy industry –Horticulture/Landscaping Production, Construction/Trades, Transport & Warehousing, Logistics, Facilities Management
• Experience/Competent driver of plant machinery – Telescopic Handler License / Telehandler Counterbalance license (or be willing to undertake)
• Minimum 2-3 years' experience in a professional setting requiring frequent problem-solving / troubleshooting
• Proven knowledge of horticulture practices and plant care techniques.
• Strong mechanical knowledge related to equipment repair and maintenance.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and other horticultural equipment.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting safely when handling plants or materials.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Good communication skills for team coordination and reporting purposes. This role is vital in maintaining the health and productivity of our nursery.

We are a family-run team, and that team includes our friendly four-legged friends – please don't consider applying if you don't like dogs

The interview and selection process will include a day's trial at the Nursery with the Nursery Operations Manager.

We are also hiring for the following roles: Grower/Propagation Lead, Sales & Customer Service Coordinator. Please do get in touch with Claire Beattie at if you'd like to enquire further about these opportunities.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £27,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• What aspects of your career history are most relevant for this opportunity?
• Do you have relevant team leadership experience?
• Do you have experience driving Forklifts/Telehandlers, and/or other relevant experience with Plant Machinery?

Work Location: In person