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- Tasks: Lead the development of a large-scale market garden and manage high-quality produce supply.
- Company: Established private estate in Maidstone, Kent with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free accommodation, and council tax covered.
- Why this job: Join a unique opportunity to create a thriving market garden and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive horticultural expertise and experience in team management required.
- Other info: Work in a beautiful environment with potential for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 51000 £ per year.
A rare and exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly knowledgeable Head Market Gardener to lead the development and future expansion of a large-scale market garden located on a substantial and well-established private estate in Maidstone, Kent.
Responsibilities:
- Reinstatement of derelict glasshouses and delivery of a comprehensive landscaping programme.
- Continuous supply of high-quality produce to an associated artisanal food business, a small number of local restaurants, and the family.
- Design, develop and build a skilled team to create a market garden of scale, productivity, diversity and aesthetic distinction employing effective and sustainable horticultural methods.
- Co-ordination with the wider estate team and clear, consistent, and professional communication with the owners throughout development and operation.
Qualifications:
- Extensive horticultural expertise in market and kitchen garden management with a focus on high-quality produce supply.
- Exceptional knowledge of succession planting, cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs, edible flowers and micro herbs.
- Proven experience in designing, developing and building a skilled horticultural team.
- Strong working knowledge of propagation techniques, organic pest and disease management, plant husbandry and health and safety legislation.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute large-scale greenhouse and orchard development projects.
Benefits:
- Three‑bedroom cottage available for the successful applicant; council tax paid by the employer.
- Competitive salary of £40,000 – £45,000 DOE plus accommodation.
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Head Market Gardener in Maidstone employer: ECG Limited
Contact Detail:
ECG Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Market Gardener in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow horticulturists, local farmers, and even restaurant owners. They might have insider info on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of your previous work, bring it along to interviews. Photos of your market garden successes or innovative projects can really impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job listings to pop up. Reach out directly to estates or businesses you admire and express your interest in working with them. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your talents and connect with the right opportunities. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Market Gardener in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Expertise: Make sure to highlight your extensive horticultural knowledge and experience in market garden management. We want to see how your skills align with our focus on high-quality produce supply!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience with what we’re looking for.
Communicate Clearly: Since clear communication is key for this role, ensure your written application is well-structured and professional. We appreciate clarity and consistency, so make it easy for us to see your potential!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and makes sure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECG Limited
✨Know Your Horticultural Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your extensive horticultural expertise. Be ready to discuss specific techniques related to succession planting, organic pest management, and plant husbandry. The more detailed your knowledge, the more confident you'll appear!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves building and leading a skilled team, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as how you fostered a positive working environment.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key, especially when coordinating with the estate team and owners. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask them about their vision for the market garden.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision
Be ready to share your ideas for the future expansion of the market garden. Think about how you would approach the reinstatement of the glasshouses and landscaping programme. Showing that you have a clear vision will set you apart from other candidates.