Standard 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 standard worker position with excellent prospects for future promotion to a Lead worker role. Join us at the forefront of horticultural excellence as we continue to grow and innovate.
Work Environment
· Warehouse operations
· Potted nursery site
· Field-grown plant production
Role Responsibilities
· Carrying 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
· Learning how to 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,
· Accurately and quickly picking and packing orders
Applicant Requirements
· Previous horticultural nursery experience is essential
· Training, forklift, telescopic handler, and knapsack spraying certificates preferred, can be provided for the right candidate
· Physically fit, able to manage demanding, manual, and fast-paced work
· Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
· A keen interest to learn about plant husbandry and plant protection
· Good arithmetic skills for order collection and packing
· Full UK driving licence required
· Experience with small tractors and trailers preferred to collect orders on site
· Excellent timekeeping and reliability
Pay & Benefits
· Pay: £12:30–£12:60 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 to work in a team in all British weather conditions to help shape the future of Hopes Grove Nurseries as we enter our next development. 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: £12.30-£12.60 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:
* Horticulture: 3 years (required)
* TRACTOR: 3 years (preferred)
* Manual handling: 5 years (required)
Language:
* English (required)
Licence/Certification:
* Telehandler Licence (preferred)
* PA6 Spraying Licence (preferred)
* PA1 Pesticide Certificate (preferred)
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person