At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee daily nursery operations and lead on-site teams for sustainable forestry.
- Company: Join a heritage-rich nursery dedicated to modern growing practices.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and environmental impact.
- Other info: Work outdoors in a dynamic environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a difference in sustainable forestry while managing diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Company Description Located on a 220-acre site in Forres that has been dedicated to tree nursery production for over 200 years, Christie-Elite Nurseries combines long-standing heritage with modern growing practices.
The business specialises in genetically superior seed-orchard “Elite” Sitka spruce and commercial conifers for timber production, offering team members the opportunity to contribute to sustainable forestry and long-term woodland management.
Role Description The Operations Manager is a full-time, on-site role based at Christie-Elite Nurseries in Forres.
This role oversees day-to-day nursery operations, including production planning, workflow scheduling, and coordination of cell-grown and bare-root plant processes.
The Operations Manager leads and supports on-site teams, ensuring safe working practices, high-quality output, and efficient use of resources across the nursery.
Responsibilities include monitoring operational performance, managing inventory and logistics, optimising equipment and facility usage, and implementing process improvements.
The role also involves collaborating with senior leadership on strategic initiatives, maintaining compliance with relevant regulations and standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and environmental stewardship.
Qualifications Experience in operations management, production planning, or supply chain coordination in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, or a related field.
Strong people management skills, including team leadership, performance management, and workforce planning across diverse on-site teams.
Proficiency in process improvement, workflow optimization, and resource allocation to support high-volume, seasonal production environments.
Skills in health, safety, and environmental compliance, with the ability to implement and monitor safe working practices on site.
Comfort with using operational software, spreadsheets, and basic data analysis tools to track output, forecast demand, and report performance.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with nursery staff, suppliers, and senior leadership.
Relevant qualification in operations management, business, agriculture, forestry, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of tree nursery, forestry, or timber production processes is highly beneficial; experience in large-scale land-based operations is an advantage.
Ability to work on site in varying weather conditions and to respond flexibly to seasonal operational demands.
