Plant Centre Lead

Teaching Vacancies; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme (emply

Nursery/onsite benefits

Job summary

Teaching Vacancies is seeking an experienced horticultural professional to lead a vibrant Plant Centre. You will manage plant production, retail operations, stock control and the customer journey, ensuring high standards while supporting learners to gain practical industry skills.

You will balance commercial goals with educational impact, working flexibly to prioritise plant needs and business growth within the college community. Strong communication and IT skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experienced horticultural professional with strong plant knowledge.
• Experience of stock management and merchandising in a commercial environment.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence using IT systems and social media.

Responsibilities

• Oversee plant production, retail operations, stock management and customer experience.
• Support learners to develop industry-relevant horticultural skills.
• Drive income and promote sustainability; balance commercial success with educational impact.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Customer service

Stock management

Merchandising

Supervising others

Communication skills

IT systems

Social media

Education

Level 3 vocational qualification

Level 2 English

Level 2 Maths

Full UK driving licence

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

You’ll be an experienced horticultural professional with strong plant knowledge and a background in a plant nursery, garden centre or similar commercial environment. Passionate about customer service, you’ll be organised, proactive and commercially aware, with experience of stock management, merchandising and supervising others. You’ll have excellent communication skills, be confident using IT systems and social media, and enjoy working with students, staff and customers. A Level 3 vocational qualification, Level 2 English and Maths, and a full UK driving licence are essential.

What the college offers its staff

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
• Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
• Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
• Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
• Continuous development and progression opportunities
• Free eye tests with Specsavers
• Our new and enhanced Employee Assistance Programme provides 24/7 confidential support for wellbeing, mental health, and life matters

Further details about the role

This is an exciting opportunity to take lead of a thriving Plant Centre, balancing commercial success with educational impact. You will oversee plant production, retail operations, stock management and customer experience, while supporting learners to develop industry-relevant horticultural skills. Working closely with staff, students and the wider community, you will drive income generation, promote sustainability, and help ensure the Plant Centre continues to grow as both a successful business and an outstanding learning environment.

Whilst guided working hours are in place, flexibility is essential, as the needs of the plants and business must always be prioritised.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.