Plant Buyer

Mr Fothergill's Seeds Ltd; Kentford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading horticultural company in Kentford is seeking a Horticulture Plant Buyer to oversee the procurement of seasonal live plants. The successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, negotiate costs, and collaborate with marketing and customer service teams. Ideal applicants should have procurement experience, strong commercial instincts, and excellent organizational skills. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is fundamental to our ethos. Join us in making gardening accessible to everyone.

Qualifications

• Procurement experience with perishable or seasonal products.
• Understanding of supply chain processes.
• Experience in stock management for seasonal peaks.
• Familiarity with range management is a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing of seasonal live plants for e-commerce.
• Negotiate with suppliers for competitive pricing.
• Organize delivery schedules to meet dispatch deadlines.
• Review sales performance and develop new ranges.
• Collaborate with marketing and customer service teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Commercial instincts

Strong IT and data management skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Job description

At Mr Fothergills Seed’s we are in the business of bringing gardens to life. Known for our exceptional range of seeds, garden products and horticultural expertise with well‑known brands such as Mr Fothergill’s, Johnsons, DT Brown and Darlac our products can be found in garden centres, big retailers and direct to consumers through our websites and catalogues. We have a legacy of quality, a loyal customer base and are committed to inspiring and empowering gardeners of all levels.

We are a passionate team with a strong can‑do attitude. We show respect to one another and are keen to innovate on our respective areas of expertise. We value agility, understand the journey our business is on and strive to add our unique mark onto that journey. We work hard but don’t forget to have fun. Our company purpose is “Helping Everyone Grow” and we extend that purpose to everything we do.

As a Horticulture Plant Buyer , you will join our Procurement Department, who are responsible for purchasing a wide range of horticultural goods and business support services. You’ll play a key role in managing suppliers, shaping seasonal plant ranges, and reporting on performance, while working closely with our Technical, Marketing, Quality and Customer Service teams.

Core Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Purchasing seasonal live plants for e‑commerce, including potatoes, flower bulbs, onions / shallots / garlic, flower plants, vegetable plants, and fruit plants.
• Monitoring purchase costs and negotiating with suppliers to ensure value for money while maintaining high product quality.
• Managing supplier relationships through regular communication and site visits
• Securing sufficient volume of goods to meet demand across all categories.

Logistics & Delivery Planning

• Agreeing delivery schedules with suppliers to ensure goods arrive in time for despatch deadlines.
• Organising freight and staying informed on changing import regulations.
• Monitoring supply availability, identifying risks, and finding proactive solutions.

Range Development & Commercial Insight

• Reviewing sales performance across categories and planning new season ranges to drive sales
• Sourcing new products and conducting commercial evaluations, including purchase, transport and despatch costs, packaging requirements, and pricing.
• Attending plant trials, product demonstrations, and trade shows in the UK and Europe to support innovation and new product development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collating product information for the website, catalogue and marketing copy, including features, benefits and images
• Briefing Customer Service and Marketing teams on new products and providing support with product-related enquiries.
• Supporting the wider Purchasing team and working closely with Marketing, Quality and Customer Service across all categories.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who has procurement experience ideally within perishable or seasonal products ideally with horticultural production knowledge. You will demonstrate strong commercial instincts and also have :

• Excellent attention to detail and a methodical, structured approach
• An demonstrable understanding of supply chain processes and experience in forecasting demand and managing stock for seasonal peaks
• Familiarity with range management is desirable
• Strong IT and data management skills
• Good organisational skills and the ability to reprioritise based on changing demands
• Confident interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to work to tight timescales under pressure

The world of gardening should be accessible to all and it’s important that our teams reflect the diversity of our customers, ensuring that our products meet everyone’s needs. Therefore, we very much welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We’re ‘rooting’ for you!