Lead Nursery Worker Position at Hopes Grove Nurseries
Join Our Experienced Team in Tenterden
Hopes Grove Nurseries, a family-run business with a proud 34-year heritage in Tenterden,we are one of the UK's leading specialist growers of hedging plants. Operating from several sites across Tenterden, Nineveh, and Sandhurst, and soon expanding to a newly acquired 80-acre site in Woodchurch where we plan to build a state-of-the-art nursery, we supply thousands of Gardeners, Landscapers, and Farmers all over the country.
We are seeking dedicated applicants for a mixed role as outdoor and warehouse general nursery staff. This is a lead worker position with excellent prospects for future promotion to a supervisor role. Join us at the forefront of horticultural excellence as we continue to grow and innovate.
Work Environment
· Warehouse operations
· Potted nursery sites
· Field-grown plant production
Role Responsibilities
· Leading and supervising a team to carry out tasks such as weeding, caning, planting, potting plants, and rootball wrapping in the field
· Assisting with all aspects of nursery production and the preparation/packing of customer orders
· Maintaining high standards of plant husbandry, protection, and care of young potted plants in poly tunnels, including irrigation, pest and disease management, by having excellent plant knowledge.
· Working efficiently in all weather conditions, ensuring motivation and high morale within the team
· Accurately and quickly picking and packing orders, training others in these processes
Applicant Requirements
· Previous horticultural nursery experience in a supervisory role is essential
· Training, forklift, telescopic handler, and knapsack spraying certificates required, or will be provided for the right candidate
· Physically fit, able to manage demanding, manual, and fast-paced work
· Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
· Solid understanding of plant husbandry and protection
· Good arithmetic skills for order collection and packing
· Full UK driving licence required; experience with small tractors/trailers
· Excellent timekeeping and reliability
Pay & Benefits
· Pay: £13.50–£14.25 per hour (dependent on experience)
· Overtime: Paid at 1.5x rate after 39 hours; overtime expected during peak season (31st October–30th April) including Saturday mornings (7:30am–1pm)
· Working hours: 7:30am–4pm Monday–Thursday; 7:30am–3pm Friday (39 hours per week)
· Contract: 6-month probation period, leading to a full contract upon successful completion
· Holiday: 20 days plus 8 bank holidays (5 days reserved for Christmas, holidays taken between April and October)
· Nest pension scheme
We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable individuals eager to lead and motivate a team in all conditions and help shape the future of Hopes Grove Nurseries. If you have proven horticultural experience and are ready for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £13.50-£14.25 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Tenterden TN30 7LT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* horticultural nursery: 4 years (required)
* Manual handling: 5 years (required)
Language:
* English (required)
Licence/Certification:
* sprayer certificate (preferred)
* Telehandler Licence (preferred)
* counterbalance licence (preferred)
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person