Nursery Manager

MorePeople; Chichester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A horticulture company is seeking a Tree Nursery Manager to lead the operations of their container-grown tree unit. This senior, hands-on position involves managing crop quality, production planning, and team performance. The successful candidate will have a strong background in tree production, along with experience in supervising teams. This is a permanent role that offers competitive pay and the opportunity to shape horticulture practices. Located in Chichester, this role is pivotal to both retail and wholesale customers.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Permanent position

Collaborative team support

Qualifications

• Previous experience in container-grown tree production.
• Experience supervising or leading a nursery or production team.
• Strong practical knowledge of tree crops, substrates and feeding programmes.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all container-grown tree production and cultural activities.
• Plan and manage irrigation, feeding, and crop scheduling.
• Build and maintain crop plans and stock records.
• Lead and train nursery staff.

Skills

Tree production knowledge

Irrigation systems management

Crop scheduling

Team leadership

Stock control

Job description

Tree Nursery Manager

Chichester

Overview

What to be part of something with exciting growth plans?

Love running a horticulture nursery and seeing great plants leave your site?

Ready to take ownership of a container‑grown tree operation and make it your own?

This is a rare opportunity to lead the day‑to‑day running of a busy, growing tree nursery. You'll have real influence over crop quality, production planning and team performance, while working closely with sales, dispatch and technical colleagues to deliver for both retail and wholesale customers.

What's in it for you?

• A senior, hands‑on nursery management role tipu
• Competitive salary, based on experience
• Long‑term, permanent position
• The chance to shape horticulture crop plans, processes and product range
• Support from a collaborative, experienced team

The Role

You'll be responsible for the container‑grown tree unit, covering both ornamental and fruit trees. From sourcing through to finished product, you'll make sure crops are healthy, well planned and delivered on time.

You'll work closely with Despatch, Procurement, Sales and technical teams, and you'll be involved in customer visits, audits, open days and partner engagement.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities

• Taking responsibility for all container‑grown tree production and cultural activities
• Planning and overseeing potting, irrigation, feeding, pruning and crop scheduling
• Building and maintaining crop plans, forecasts and stock records
• Developing clear production programmes for each product line
• Managing pest, disease and biosecurity through an effective ICM programme
• Operating and optimising irrigation, fertigation and rainwater systems
• Leading, training and organising permanent and seasonal staff
• Working closely with Despatch to meet quality and delivery targets
• Managing tree and growing media suppliers
• Supporting customer audits, site visits, open days and industry events
• Ensuring Health & Safety and compliance standards are met at all times

About You

• Previous experience in container‑grown tree production
• Experience supervising tora leading a nursery or production team
• Strong practical knowledge of tree crops, substrates and feeding programmes
• Comfortable using irrigation and water‑management systems
• Confident with stock control, forecasting and basic IT
• Full UK driving licence

What's Next?

For an informal chat, please call me, Sarah, on (phone number removed), email (url removed) or message me on LinkedIn.

Don't worry if your CV isn’t up to date, just send what you’ve got, and we’ll take it from there.