Job Description

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