At a Glance
- Tasks: Learn plant buying while supporting nursery operations and advising customers.
- Company: Join a passionate, employee-owned horticulture business with a great culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Experience dynamic workdays with opportunities for travel across the UK and Europe.
- Why this job: Grow your skills in a hands-on role with real impact on plant sourcing.
- Qualifications: Strong plant knowledge and customer relationship skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Passionate about horticulture? Looking for a role where you can grow your skills and get involved in plant buying? If you've got strong plant knowledge and want a hands-on role where you can develop into a plant buyer, this could be the perfect next step for you.
Salary of ~£30,000 DOE
- Full-time, permanent role with a weekend rota
- Generous staff discount
- 28 days holiday (inc. bank holidays), increasing with service
- Access to a perks platform with discounts & wellbeing benefits
- Company pension
- The chance to become part of an employee-owned business (length of service applies)
- Annual tax-free profit share (after qualifying period)
- Supplier visits and future travel across the UK and Europe
- A supportive, easy-going team with a great culture
What's the job? This is a hybrid role, and no two days will be the same. You'll learn directly from the Director on the buying side, gaining exposure to sourcing plants from the UK and Europe. You'll start by learning how the nursery operates: how stock arrives, how it's cared for, what good quality looks like, and how the business works across the seasons. Once you've got a feel for the nursery, you'll gradually take on buying responsibilities - starting small and building from there.
Day to day, you'll be:
- Supporting nursery operations and learning the full product range
- Advising customers and offering plant-based solutions to their challenges
- Assisting the Director with plant buying and stock sourcing
- Helping plan seasonal ranges and ensuring the right plants arrive at the right time
- Working with the team to unload, check and merchandise new deliveries
- Maintaining high standards across the nursery and shop floor
- Processing customer sales through the till and supporting retail operations
- Collaborating closely with the Nursery Manager and wider team
This is not a desk-based buying job. It's hands-on, practical and customer-focused, with buying responsibilities increasing as your confidence grows. This could be from working in garden centres, commercial growing or plant maintenance.
A genuine interest in plant buying and supplier relationships
- Confidence speaking to customers and building relationships
- Ability to juggle tasks - you might be writing an order one minute and helping a customer the next
- Reliability and a willingness to get stuck into whatever needs doing
For an informal chat, please call me, Sarah on 01780 480530, email, or message me on LinkedIn.
Trainee Procurement Specialist employer: MorePeople
Contact Detail:
MorePeople Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Procurement Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on their values and what makes them tick. This way, you can show how your passion for horticulture aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your plant knowledge! Brush up on your understanding of different plants and their care. Being able to chat confidently about plants during your interview will definitely impress the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for hands-on questions! Since this role is all about practical experience, think of examples from your past where you've tackled similar tasks. Show us how you’ve juggled responsibilities and built relationships in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Procurement Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Plants: When you're writing your application, let your love for horticulture shine through! Share any relevant experiences or knowledge you have about plants, as this will show us that you're genuinely interested in the role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight any hands-on experience you've had in plant buying or related fields, and connect it back to what we’re looking for in a Trainee Procurement Specialist.
Be Yourself: We want to get to know the real you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. A friendly tone can make a big difference and help us see how you'd fit into our easy-going team culture.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will go straight to us, and we can’t wait to read what you’ve got to say!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss different types of plants, their care requirements, and any recent trends in horticulture. This will show your passion for the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Show Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've worked directly with plants or in a customer-facing role. Whether it's volunteering at a garden centre or helping friends with their gardens, these stories will highlight your practical skills and enthusiasm for the job.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions about the nursery operations and the buying process. Inquire about how they source their plants or what challenges they face in the industry. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be ready to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team environment in the past, and express your excitement about being part of a supportive culture.