Assistant Grower Manager

Morepeople 01780; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading horticultural company in Preston is seeking an experienced Assistant Grower Manager to oversee growing teams and drive innovation in large-scale plant production. The ideal candidate will have a background in commercial growing, strong leadership skills, and a passion for sustainability. This role offers a dynamic environment with various challenges and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial growing and team management.
• Strong technical knowledge of integrated crop management.
• Ability to balance hands-on work with strategic oversight.

Responsibilities

• Leading and motivating the growing teams to deliver high-quality crops.
• Implementing and managing ICM programmes.
• Overseeing crop husbandry and plug quality.

Skills

Commercial growing experience

Team management

Integrated crop management knowledge

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Job description

Assistant Grower Manager - Commercial Horticulture Preston | Full-time | £32,000-£35,000

Are you an experienced grower ready to take the lead in shaping the future of large-scale plant production?

We're working with a leading name in UK horticulture to recruit an Assistant Grower Manager - a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee growing teams, deliver top-quality crops, and drive innovation across multiple sites. If you're passionate about plants, sustainability, and people management, this could be the next big step in your career.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and motivating the growing teams to deliver healthy, high-quality crops on a commercial scale
• Implementing and managing ICM programmes (water, environment, IPM, crop protection, energy use, etc.)
• Driving down waste while maximising yield and product quality
• Overseeing crop husbandry, plug quality, and site standards across multiple growing sites
• Playing a key role in technical trials - from peat-free growing media to innovative biologics and NPD trials
• Working with Sales & Purchasing Teams to input into tenders and deliver against customer expectations
• Taking ownership of HR aspects for your team (rotas, recruitment, appraisals, training & development)
• Supporting ERP and space planning projects to optimise production
• Representing the business externally - including providing content for social media and attending trade shows

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in commercial growing and team management
• Strong technical knowledge of integrated crop management
• A passion for sustainability, innovation, and trial work
• Great communication and leadership skills to bring out the best in your team
• Ability to balance hands-on work with strategic oversight
• Organised, professional, and confident in working cross-functionally with sales, supply chain, QA, and operations

Why This Role Stands Out

• Be at the forefront of large-scale commercial growing, influencing future practices and sustainability trials
• Work with a dynamic management team in a business that invests in innovation and people
• Lead from the front - managing both the technical and people side of growing operations
• A varied, challenging, and rewarding role where no two days are ever the same

Ready to grow your career? If you're a horticultural leader looking for your next big challenge, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the reins in a role where your expertise will shape the future of plant production.

For an informal chat, please call Emily on 01780 480530, email [e-mail] or message me on LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't up to date, just send what you have already, and we can sort the rest later.