Assistant Plant Nursery Manager / Potting Supervisor
Location
Enfield, EN2
Hours
7am - 4pm (winter) / 7.30am - 4.30am (summer)
Flexible during busy periods (March – July) including some weekends.
Salary & Benefits
£27.5k per annum, reviewed on successful completion of probation. Annual bonus based on company sales & personal performance, 28 days holidays (including bank holidays), fully equipped & modern staff canteen, staff games / wellbeing room, free parking.
About Anglo Aquatic
Anglo Aquatic are a family‑owned business that have been growing and supplying the most comprehensive range of high‑quality aquatic plants in the UK for over 60 years to Garden Centres, Landscapers, Developers and Internet‑based customers. We are run by an exceptional and dedicated team who have over 100 years combined experience of growing and producing over 180 species of cold‑water plants, priding ourselves on our high quality, our customer‑first approach and the fact many of our customers have been with us for decades. As well as growing and supplying beautiful water plants, we support our customers with expert knowledge and advice, operating flexibly to adapt to their needs. We have won many prestigious Horticulture awards over the years, including the Tudor‑Rose Award (best in show) numerous times at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, being the first company to bring the Swimming Pond landscaping concept to the UK from Northern Europe.
About the Opportunity
Our busiest time of year runs from March to July and outside of these times, our production team are busy in our Nursery growing, nurturing and preparing stock for the following year.
We now have a leadership development opportunity for an Assistant Nursery Manager / Potting Supervisor, to work closely alongside and support the Nursery Manager in overseeing all operations of the nursery – including supervising staff, monitoring plant health, and taking the initiative on a wide variety of operational tasks. Initially leading the Potting Operations (our vital all‑year‑around activity) to learn the details of the production cycle at Anglo, your role will develop and be trained on all other aspects of production operations leadership on the nursery.
This is a physically demanding role that requires a sound level of fitness, manual dexterity and a high degree of competence with plant and machinery. You will be leading the management of logistics around the nursery as well as leading the Nursery team organising and distributing work against the year’s potting schedule and ensuring they have the tools and resources required for them to effectively do their roles.
Key Responsibilities
* Shadow the Nursery Manager across Production Operations, understanding the overall production infrastructure, systems and processes.
* Manage plant machinery, logistics, irrigation systems, pumps, and plant quality.
* Be solely responsible for the Potting Operations, ensuring the safe and efficient running of the Potting Machine – including changing pot sizes, keeping correct soil mixes continually topped up and overseeing production quality.
* Drive Forklifts, Telehandlers and other plant machinery to ensure Potting operations run smoothly and with minimal down‑time.
* Manage logistics around site safely and efficiently; load and unload lorries, liaise with delivery drivers and supply chain.
* Build great working relationships with the nursery Production Team, setting clear expectations on tasks in daily morning briefings.
* Supervise nursery Production Team and delegate tasks as necessary.
* Maintain inventory and ensure the availability of necessary supplies, placing orders where necessary.
* Implement and enforce safety and health regulations.
* Train new staff members on nursery procedures and safety protocols.
* Monitor plant health and troubleshoot / communicate any issues to the Nursery Manager and Planner.
* Manage plant production, including seeding, watering, pruning, and pest control.
Working Environment
4 Acres of greenhouses across a 6‑acre site and split into a grid system which includes a large packing shed, Potting Shed, Propagation House, Lily Block, Storage Facility and Marginal Plant blocks accommodating the variety of pot sizes we supply. Summers will be hot / dusty! We enjoy plenty of visiting wildlife in our greenhouses, including robins, newts, frogs, foxes, and a variety of wild birds.
Office containing shower facilities, large training room, fully operational, modern and clean staff canteen with full kitchen appliances and equipment and outdoor seating area. A fully equipped staff games & fitness room with vaulted ceiling and storage for personal gym & training equipment.
A friendly, hard‑working office team operates all year round to support our production operations team. Annual summer BBQ on‑site to celebrate the end of each busy season.
About You
You will be mechanically minded, physically fit, an exceptional problem‑solver, highly organised, and someone who readily takes the lead & initiative in situations. This is an excellent leadership development opportunity for somebody looking to progress their career in Horticulture / Production into operational management.
This is an outdoors, site‑based role, a greenhouse environment that will see you working in all elements, all year around. It’s likely you’ll have a passion for outdoor pursuits, team leadership‑based activities and / or mechanical projects in your personal time, having a curious interest in how things fit together, systems work, and an enthusiasm for learning.
Previous plant knowledge (or Horticultural qualification) is not necessarily required, as you’ll learn quickly on the job. However you should be willing to learn, have an interest in Horticulture and the activities associated with running a world‑class plant production facility. We take a pride in our high standards and overall cleanliness and organisation of our nursery production operations.
Personal Attributes
* High standards for self and others.
* Inspire and motivate others.
* Lead by example.
You’re Analytically Minded
* Detail oriented, have a fluency with all things mechanical and like to understand how things work.
* Completer‑finisher; you see problems through to resolution.
* Sense of urgency – operates to timescales quickly, effectively and safely.
Skills & Experience
Team‑Leadership
* A minimum of 2‑3 years relevant team leadership experience, gained across either professional setting or personal interests.
* Minimum 2‑3 years experience defining and leading time‑critical site‑based operational activities against a plan within a relevant heavy industry Horticulture / Landscaping Production, Construction / Trades, Transport & Warehousing, Logistics, Facilities Management.
Experience / Competent Driver of Plant Machinery
* Telehandler License / Telehandler Counterbalance license (or be willing to undertake).
* Minimum 2‑3 years experience in a professional setting requiring frequent problem‑solving / troubleshooting.
We are a family‑run team, and that team includes our friendly four‑legged friends.
PLEASE DON'T CONSIDER APPLYING IF YOU DON'T LIKE DOGS!
The interview and selection process will include a day’s trial at the Nursery with the Nursery Operations Manager.
We are also hiring for the following roles: Grower / Propagation Lead, Sales & Customer Service Coordinator. Please do get in touch with Claire Beattie on the application email provided if you’d like to enquire further about these opportunities.
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