Lead Gardener

Here at Willow Alexander Gardens, we provide all services ranging from regular garden maintenance to full garden design and installation.

Our head office is based in Sidcup and we cover in and around London and South East England servicing 100’s of clients weekly, monthly and fortnightly.

We are passionate about the up-keep and maintenance of our clients’ gardens and take great pride in our work.

We are now seeking a Garden Maintenance Team Leader to join our maintenance team with a passion for horticulture and a great eye for detail in the garden.

Your expertise in groundskeeping, irrigation, and garden maintenance will contribute to the overall beauty and health of our outdoor spaces.

**Job Brief**

As a team leader you are responsible for your team, your van, your tools, health and safety of you and your team, your clients’ gardens and reports required daily.

You must be able to work with an operative to pass on knowledge and give them the opportunity to learn and develop whilst acting as an ambassador for Willow Alexander Gardens.

**Responsibilities & Duties**:

- Perform regular maintenance tasks such as mowing, trimming, and edging lawns
- Plant, water, and fertilize flowers, shrubs, and trees
- Prune and shape plants to maintain their health and appearance
- Weed garden beds and remove any unwanted plants or debris
- Monitor and adjust irrigation systems to ensure proper watering
- Use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, and pruners to complete gardening tasks
- Operate tools such as lawn mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers
- A high standard of garden maintenance in each client’s garden
- A high standard of clearances and tidies
- Meeting with company policies, procedures, health and safety and standards of work
- Guide and develop your operative helping build their knowledge and skills
- Good communication and time keeping with both the office and the clients/customers
- To comply with Health & Safety legislation and company policies and procedures.
- To record via our online app for each visit in the correct way
- Creating a safe and encouraging environment for all teams
- To ensure the planning of each day is done; making sure the correct tools, equipment and charge is in the van for the day to run smoothly
- Responsibility for upselling the services and working with sales to bring in extra work
- A flexible and mobile approach as travel between sites is required.

Team members will be required to travel into London as and when required as we have both regular and one-off bookings in London. Please note allocated time is always given for travel to ensure you arrive on time and are back to head office on time each day.

The Garden Maintenance Team Leader will work closely with the office staff to ensure the smooth running of the days/weeks and all feedback is provided to the office daily.

You must have good horticultural knowledge and experience to be able to advise clients as well as carry out the work.

You must be able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced and demanding environment especially through the busy seasons.
- Previous experience in groundskeeping or landscape maintenance
- Knowledge of plant care techniques including watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control
- Familiarity with various hand tools used in gardening
- Ability to operate power tools safely and efficiently
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions accurately
- Using initiative in situations that may arise professionally
- A recognised horticultural qualification or proven, comparable experience and knowledge is strongly desired but not essential.
- Previous experience in horticultural management is essential.
- A proficient level of financial and commercial acumen is desired but not essential.

**What we offer**:

- Company vehicle to use during working hours
- Incentives.
- Free and discounted food
- Competitive salary.
- 20 days annual leave + bank holidays

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £26,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus scheme

**Experience**:

- garden maintenance: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person