Nursery Plant Manager

Company Overview

We are currently seeking an experienced Horticultural/Nursery Manager to oversee the retail operations at our plant nursery in Windlesham, Surrey. This is a vital role within Crocus, a leading e-commerce business specializing in sourcing and supplying exceptional garden plants and products to customers nationwide. Crocus prides itself on offering over 5,000 plant varieties, a significantly wider selection than a typical garden centre

The successful candidate will be responsible for the retail nursery operation and teams, encompassing effective leadership, comprehensive stock management, meticulous plant maintenance, and stringent quality control to ensure our high standards are met.

We are looking for a dedicated professional to lead our team and maintain the excellent reputation of our nursery.

Summary

To manage the Retail Nursery Team effectively to deliver and maintain optimal quality plants within the picking areas of the nursery and through the Quality Control line. Ensure effective management of irrigation, weeds, pest and diseases to maintain high quality standards. Apply appropriate measures to feed, prune and cut-back plants on a timely basis to maintain plant health and strong growth, resulting in the supply of high quality plants for our customers.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for overall maintenance of hardy nursery stock, houseplant and bedding plants in the picking areas of the nursery.
• Manage a team of staff taking responsibility for ensuring that they receive all relevant training, job descriptions, appraisals and objectives
• Ensure that they have all required safety equipment and clothing/shoes. Take responsibility for appropriate staffing needs and manage team time/attendance and payroll.
• Prioritise workload management of the Retail Nursery team across appropriate areas of the nursery to ensure optimal management of tasks. Monitoring standards of work throughout the team and actively encouraging efficient ways of working to help deliver nursery goals.
• Monitor in real time, the need of each department to ensure an efficient and effective distribution of labour to meet all team KPI's.
• Ensure the management and delivering of plant stock is meticulous within clearly defined and laid-out visible pick locations to increase picking efficiency and optimise space available whilst maintaining plant health.
• Work closely with the Stock Control team to ensure that accurate records are delivered on a timely basis, of any write-offs as the result of damaged, deteriorated or dead stock.
• Work closely with the Quality team to monitor quality across the picking areas of the nursery ensuring that plant stock meets plant specifications. Reporting anything notifiable to the Head of Department.
• Regularly monitor irrigation schedules across the picking areas of the nursery to safeguard plant quality. Ensure plants receive protection as required from low/high temperatures, scorching, and pest/disease.
• Take responsibility for ensuring safe, timely and appropriate spraying/management of pest and disease in the picking areas of the nursery. Encouraging the ethos of Integrated Crop Management throughout appropriate team members.
• Take responsibility for all aspects of health and safety across the site. Ensure team members are vigilant to ensure all persons entering the Nursery environment are appropriately dressed and comply with the company regulations at all times. Take responsibility for maintaining a safe, secure, clean and tidy growing and picking environment at all times.
• Provide clear, timely and accurate communication to the Nursery Management team with regard to any on-going concerns or activities requiring approval, action or agreement.
• Work closely with all departmental managers. Excellent levels of communication must be maintained at all times. Work in a co-ordinated manner with all other departments.
• Work effectively cross-functionally with all Crocus stake-holders, including the warehouse where required, to ensure maximum efficiency of communication regarding all areas that affect them.
• Any other duties as deemed appropriate and according to business needs.

Key experience, Knowledge and skills

• Relevant experience in a similar / horticultural environment
• Strong plant knowledge
• Minimum 5 years' experience of working in a Plant retail environment/nursery
• Proven experience of managing a large multi-cultural team
• Computer Literate (Excel & Word)
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Good leadership skills
• This is a hands on role
• Ability to work to time pressures effectively in a fast moving and rapidly changing market
• Basic Level financial awareness and ability to interpret data
• Good interpersonal skills – A team player
• Driving License
• Must be available for weekend and BH working on a management rota (where required)
• This is an on-site role- so being within commutable distance to Windlesham is essential.

If you have a passion for plants and want to lead a team dedicated to inspiring gardeners, we invite you to apply today

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £38,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Windlesham GU20: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

• Horticulture: 5 years (required)

Work Location: In person