Horticulture Team Leader

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – successful applicants must have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced Horticultural Team Leader? Do you have strong plant knowledge? Have you got strong attention to detail?

The Company: An established, family-run horticultural business supplying trees, shrubs and plants to landscapers, growers and horticultural professionals nationwide.

The Job Role: You will be responsible for the central day-to-day running of the nursery, providing hands-on leadership and support to a team to achieve high standards of plant quality, efficiency, safety and service. Working closely with site management, the role involves coordinating daily tasks across designated nursery areas, supporting team members on the ground, and ensuring crops are maintained to a high standard while following operating procedures consistently.

Location: Hertfordshire – on-site.

Salary Package: £30,000 – £34,000 basic salary depending on skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Work hands-on with the team to motivate staff and achieve daily goals efficiently.
• Liaise with the Sales Team and Nursery Manager to plan and deliver activity across assigned nursery areas.
• Oversee plant maintenance to ensure crop health, quality and presentation.
• Monitor crops for pests, disease, irrigation and quality issues, escalating concerns promptly.
• Lead order picking, packing, loading and unloading in line with customer requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of stock movements across nursery systems.
• Implement plant health, integrated crop management and company assurance schemes.
• Promote a strong customer service culture across the team.
• Take responsibility for personal development and participate in staff reviews.
• Take responsibility for health and safety within the team, including procedures, mentoring and daily compliance.
• Ensure your team's work is carried out to the highest standards.
• Ensure stock is grown and maintained to the highest standards adhering to the principles of integrated crop management.
• Selection and packing of plants to stock up nursery beds or dispatch on customer orders.
• Manage returned or unwanted stock efficiently to maintain quality and saleability.
• Plan and apply plant protection products in line with company plant protection programmes and guidelines.
• Store, use and dispose of chemicals in accordance with Health and Safety procedures as set out in company guidelines.
• Working with managers, plan distribute and set down of plants following their arrival on the nursery.
• Provide out of hours cover on a rota basis where required to ensure continuity of plant care, particularly irrigation and application of plant protection products.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven supervisory or leadership experience in a horticultural setting.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A motivated, approachable individual who is able to nurture both plants and people.
• Someone who is passionate about commitment to quality, safety, plant health and excellent customer service.
• NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2 or an equivalent qualification relevant to the horticultural industry.