Job Description

Location:

Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 0JD

Otter Nurseries of Lymington Ltd is an independent ornamental plant nursery with a long-standing tradition of growing top-quality plants for the UK market. We supply our eight garden centres with a wide range of premium ornamental crops, all grown at our Lymington site.



We take pride in our innovation across all areas -- from production and new plant introductions to sustainable growing practices and efficient sales formats. Environmental responsibility is at the heart of what we do: we recycle and capture our production water, heat our growing areas using biomass, use peat-free compost wherever possible, and operate with 100% recycled plastics. We also harvest solar energy and recycle close to 80 tonnes of plastic and cardboard per year.



We continuously invest in our people, infrastructure, and technology to stay at the forefront of horticultural production and to meet the challenges of the future with confidence.



This is an active, hands-on leadership role requiring excellent people skills, attention to detail, and the ability to see the bigger picture. The Nursery Team Leader will work closely with the Nursery Manager and collaborate across multiple production areas to achieve daily and weekly goals efficiently and to the highest standards.



You will be involved in all aspects of ornamental plant production, dispatch, maintenance, and site organization, helping to ensure smooth operations and outstanding plant quality.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Work closely with the Nursery Manager to meet targets outlines in weekly and daily plans Supervise and work alongside teams to ensure efficient and timely task completion Monitor crop health, watering, feeding and pest control; report any issues promptly Assist in planting, trimming and other crop maintenance tasks to achieve high-quality results Organise and oversee dispatch preparation, ensuring orders meet specifications, quantities, and deadlines Maintain and operated production machinery safely; report maintenance issues as needed Help coordinate daily job allocations and ensure Health & Safety standards are met Participate in weekend watering rota during the main production season Support training of new staff and promote a positive, collaborative work culture

Qualifications & Skills:

Previous experience in commercial ornamental horticulture is an advantage but not required (training provided.) Good numeracy, literacy, and basic computer skills Strong organisational and communication abilities Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team Willingness to undertake machinery training, including tractor and forklift operation Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure

Personal Attributes:

Natural leadership and ability to take initiative when required Attention to detail and ability to follow and communicate instructions clearly Approachable, proactive, and safety-conscious attitude Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment Open-minded and ready to share and discuss new ideas for improvement

Hours

Full-time: 39 hours per week



Monday - Thursday: 7.30am - 4.15pm



Friday: 7.30am - 3.15pm



Participation in weekend watering rota during main production season (paid in addition.)



6-month probationary period.

Benefits

Competitive rates of pay Performance-based end-of-year bonus Professional training and development opportunities Possibility of progressing to supervisory position Opportunities to attend trade shows A change to implement new ideas and improve on-site processes Work within a well-established, forward-looking, and innovative company

Apply

For more information or to apply, please send your CV to Dawid at groupplantmanager@ottergardencentres.com