At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production at Hillier Nurseries, ensuring exceptional crop quality and efficient operations.
- Company: Join Hillier Nurseries, an award-winning company with over 160 years of horticultural heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, 31 days holiday, private healthcare, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Play a key role in modernising one of the UK's most respected nurseries and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive nursery production experience and strong people management skills required.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ 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 or 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 Senior Production Manager in Hampshire employer: MOrePeople
Contact Detail:
MOrePeople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Horticulture Senior Production Manager in Hampshire
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the horticulture industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role thatβs perfect for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow Hillier Nurseries and other key players in the industry on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their posts, share your insights, and show off your passion for horticulture. Itβs a great way to get noticed!
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in sustainable growing and modern production methods. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Hillier's vision and how you can contribute to their exciting future.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youβre serious about joining the Hillier team and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Horticulture Senior Production Manager in Hampshire
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion for Horticulture: When writing your application, let your love for horticulture shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your journey in the industry and how they align with Hillier's commitment to sustainable growing.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Production Manager role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description, especially around team management and operational change.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining Hillier Nurseries!
How to prepare for a job interview at MOrePeople
β¨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.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Production Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your people management experience. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and driven operational change in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to support and develop the growing team at Hillier.
β¨Be Ready for Operational Questions
Expect questions around managing production operations and driving high standards. Think about how you've handled budgets, labour planning, and CAPEX delivery in the past. Being able to articulate your experience in these areas will show that you're prepared for the hands-on nature of the role.
β¨Emphasise Your Forward-Thinking Mindset
Hillier is looking for someone with a solutions-focused approach. Be prepared to discuss how you've introduced new technology or processes in your previous roles. Share your ideas on continuous improvement and sustainability in horticulture, as this aligns with their vision for modernisation.