Plant Centre Lead

Derby College Group; West Hallam; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £29,165 per annum

34 days holiday

LGPS pension with 19.9% employer

Discounts for nursery & services

TOTUM discount card

Tastecard

Rail discount

SENSI onsite salon discount

Eye tests with Specsavers

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Derby College Group is seeking an enthusiastic Plant Centre Lead to support the day-to-day operation of our Plant Centre at Broomfield Hall. This role combines commercial management with horticultural expertise, ensuring the Plant Centre operates as a successful retail enterprise while providing an outstanding learning environment for students.

You will oversee plant production, retail operations, stock management and customer experience, while supporting learners to develop industry-relevant

Qualifications

• Experience in a plant nursery, garden centre or similar commercial environment.
• A Level 3 vocational qualification and Level 2 English and Maths.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee plant production, retail operations, stock management and customer experience.
• Support learners to develop industry-relevant horticultural skills.
• Lead the Plant Centre to drive income generation and sustainability.
• Balance commercial success with educational impact and community engagement.

Skills

Plant knowledge

Customer service

Stock management

Merchandising

Team supervision

Communication

IT systems

Social media

Education

Level 3 vocational qualification

Level 2 English and Maths

Full UK driving licence

Tools

IT systems

Social media

Job description

Optimistic – Equity – Kindness – Innovation – Collaboration

Kindly note that we cannot accept CVs, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education requirements. All applications must be submitted via the link provided only.

Derby College Group (DCG) is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Plant Centre Lead to support the day-to-day operation of our busy and successful Plant Centre at Broomfield Hall. This exciting role combines commercial management with horticultural expertise, ensuring the Plant Centre operates as a successful retail enterprise while providing an outstanding learning environment for students.

The Opportunity

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.

About You

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.

The Benefits

• Salary of £29,165 per annum (this includes our recent pay award)
• 34 days holiday (inclusive of 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days where these occur)
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
• Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
• TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card)
• Discounted Tastecard
• Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
• Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
• Continuousdevelopment 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
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, reasonable adjustments, or about the role, please contact us at [e-mail].

Safeguarding statement

DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. An online search of the preferred candidate is also completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Please note that unfortunately,this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

We are committed to embedding sustainability throughout Derby College Group, from the way we operate to the way we educate and support our learners. We welcome applicants who are motivated to support our sustainability ambitions, help reduce our environmental impact, and contribute to a creating a more sustainable world for our future generations.