At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production operations and ensure exceptional crop quality at Hillier Nurseries.
- Company: Join Hillier Nurseries, an award-winning team with a rich horticultural heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 31 days holiday, private healthcare, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Play a key role in modernising one of the UK's most respected nurseries.
- Qualifications: Extensive nursery production experience and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Want to help shape the future of one of the UK's most respected nurseries? Ready to lead production at real scale and be part of a major modernisation programme? Hillier Nurseries, recently named International Grower of the Year, is offering a rare opportunity for an experienced Senior Production Manager to join its award-winning team.
With more than 160 years of horticultural heritage and major development projects planned, there's never been a more exciting time to join Hillier as it continues to invest in modern, sustainable growing.
What's in it for me?
- Competitive salary
- Car allowance
- 31 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Private healthcare, pension & life assurance
- Employee discount
- The chance to play a major role in Hillier's next phase of development and modernisation.
What's the job?
As Senior Production Manager at Hillier, you'll lead the day-to-day running of production across the two nursery sites, ensuring crops are grown to exceptional quality, operations run efficiently, and the business is ready for its next stage of growth. It's a role with real influence. You'll work closely with Hillier's senior leadership, support a skilled, growing team, and help shape new processes, new technology, and long-term improvements across the nursery.
Day to day, you'll be:
- Managing production operations and driving high standards across both Hillier sites
- Leading, developing and supporting the growing team
- Owning budgets, labour planning and CAPEX delivery
- Ensuring Hillier's nurseries run safely, professionally, and fully compliantly
- Managing procurement and stock availability across all key inputs
- Driving crop scheduling and collaborating with the horticulture & propagation teams
- Supporting new product development and variety introductions
- Championing continuous improvement, sustainability, and modern production methods
- Acting as the key point of contact for plant health, crop protection and plant passporting
This is very much a hands-on leadership role; you'll be visible across the nurseries, close to the crops, and central to Hillier's success.
What do I need?
- Extensive experience in commercial nursery production
- A background in people management, with the ability to build and develop high-performing teams
- Strong technical plant knowledge: crop scheduling, plant health, propagation, irrigation, nutrition
- Experience delivering operational change and introducing new technology or processes
- Confidence with data, KPIs, planning and commercial decision-making
- A forward-thinking, solutions-focused mindset
- Passion for sustainable growing and modern horticultural methods
What's next?
For an informal chat, please call Sarah Want at MorePeople, email, or drop me a message on LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't up to date, just send what you have, and we'll take it from there. MorePeople are the exclusive recruitment partner for this project.
Horticulture Production Manager in Brockley employer: MorePeople
Hillier Nurseries is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead production at one of the UK's most respected nurseries. With a rich horticultural heritage and ambitious modernisation plans, employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, private healthcare, and a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and innovation in sustainable practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Horticulture Production Manager in Brockley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the horticulture industry, especially those connected to Hillier Nurseries. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for horticulture! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, share your love for sustainable growing and modern methods. Let them see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Hillier Nurseries, their recent projects, and their approach to modernisation. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can help drive their production operations forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Hillier Nurseries. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Horticulture Production Manager in Brockley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in commercial nursery production and people management to show us you're the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about sustainable growing and modern horticultural methods. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational change or introduced new technology in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge:Don’t forget to include your strong technical plant knowledge, especially around crop scheduling, plant health, and irrigation. We want to see how your expertise can contribute to our ambitious plans at Hillier.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our award-winning team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨Know Your Horticulture Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical plant knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss crop scheduling, plant health, and sustainable growing methods. This will show that you're not just passionate about horticulture but also well-versed in the specifics that matter to Hillier.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Production Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and developed high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your people management experience and how you foster collaboration and growth within your team.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Mindset
Hillier is looking for someone with a forward-thinking, solutions-focused approach. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This will illustrate your ability to drive operational change and introduce new processes effectively.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Modernisation and Sustainability
With Hillier's focus on modernisation and sustainable growing, come prepared to share your thoughts on these topics. Discuss any relevant experiences you've had with new technology or sustainable practices in nursery production, and how you can contribute to their ambitious plans.
