Tree Nursery Manager

The Alba Explorers; Kirriemuir; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological restoration organization in Scotland is seeking a Tree Nursery Manager to establish and run a new native tree nursery. The role involves significant autonomy in operations, including planning and production. Successful candidates will lead a team and closely collaborate with various partners to restore native woodlands. The job offers a competitive salary of £30,000-£35,000 with generous leave and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

38 days paid leave

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Company events

Qualifications

• Practical experience in nursery operations or horticulture.
• Strong understanding of native Scottish ecosystems.
• High attention to detail in labelling and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Establish nursery operations on a 6.9-acre site from mid-February.
• Plan and manage production to meet demand of up to 295,000 trees.
• Lead and support a diverse team working on nursery operations.

Skills

Nursery operations

Horticulture

Communication

Leadership

Time-management

Job description

Build and lead a high-impact native tree nursery producing up to 230,000 trees per year.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a new 6.9-acre forest nursery in one of Scotland's most spectacular and ecologically important landscapes. This role is funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, reflecting both the strategic importance of the nursery and the strength of demand for high-quality, locally sourced native trees. Fior Forest Nursery has confirmed and anticipated initial demand of approximately 295,000 native trees, with current infrastructure and staffing designed to deliver around 230,000 trees per annum from year one.

We are now seeking an experienced and motivated Tree Nursery Manager to design, establish and run production systems that balance ecological integrity with operational reality, supplying provenance-assured native trees to restoration projects across the Angus Glens and Southeast Cairngorms.

Backed by secured funding, support from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, and long-term demand from public bodies and private landowners, this is not a speculative start-up. It is a serious, values-driven nursery with real clients, real scale, and real impact.

About Us

The Alba Explorers Centre for Outdoor Innovation CIC is an organisation dedicated to reversing social and environmental decline in Scotland through practical action, education and community engagement. Fior Forest Nursery is a major new initiative within our work, building on over six years of outdoor education and conservation delivery across Scotland.

The nursery is based on a 6.9-acre site at Rottal Estate and will specialise in Southeast Cairngorms-provenance native trees, meeting strong local demand from landowners and agencies. We have a particular focus on rare and threatened montane and riparian species (including montane willows, dwarf birch, juniper and aspen), alongside core Caledonian species such as Scots pine, birch, oak, alder and hazel.

The Role

This is your opportunity to set the standard for Fior Forest Nursery's first years of production and to shape a long-term legacy of ecological restoration across the Angus Glens and Southeast Cairngorms.

You will have significant autonomy over day-to-day nursery operations, including planning, production, and site management, while working closely with the Managing Directors on strategy, growth, sales, orders etc.

You will help to oversee operations from seed collection through to saleable stock. You will lead a diverse team of volunteers, interns, students and visiting professionals with day to day nursery operations. You will also collaborate with high-profile partners such as the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry, privately owned estates and Angus Council.

Alongside production, the role offers opportunities to contribute to our education and community mission, integrating nursery operations with visits, training, awards and qualifications that support people into rural and environmental employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and launch nursery operations on a 6.9-acre site with five existing polytunnels from mid-February. Advise Managing Directors on procurement, nursery design, and scalability
• Plan, deliver and manage the production aligned with current nursery capacity and the staged fulfilment of initial demand of up to 295,000 trees.
• Focus production on Southeast Cairngorms-provenance keystone species, rare montane and riparian trees, and core Caledonian natives.
• Set ambitious but realistic production targets for the nursery's first year and subsequent seasons.
• Lead, motivate and support staff, volunteers and learners working on site.
• Implement and maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease and contamination.
• Accurately label, record and monitor seed and stock data to ensure full traceability and compliance.
• Manage nursery inputs (e.g. composts, containers, water) in line with best practice and sustainability principles.
• Support educational visits and engagement activities, from informal "show and tell" sessions to structured nursery tours for schools, communities and professional stakeholders.
• Work closely with education staff to ensure the site is safe, welcoming and engaging for children and young people.

Who We're Looking For

You will have experience in nursery work, horticulture or a closely related field, and you'll be excited by the challenge of establishing and scaling a new nursery operation in Scotland. Formal management experience is welcomed but not essential.

You will be comfortable balancing ecological ambition with operational constraints, including managing production capacity against high demand. You will communicate clearly, lead by example, and be motivated by restoring native woodlands at scale.

You will either live locally in the Angus Glens or be willing to relocate (support may be available for this), and you will thrive in a physically active, predominantly outdoor role in a remote rural setting.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on role based largely outdoors in the Angus Glens. You will often work independently and in all weather conditions, from misty mornings to mid-winter snow. Self-motivation, resilience and a strong sense of personal responsibility are essential.

Essential Skills & Qualities

• Practical experience in nursery operations, horticulture or a similar field.
• Strong understanding of native Scottish ecosystems and the role of trees within them.
• Leadership potential, initiative and strong communication skills.
• High attention to detail, particularly around labelling, record-keeping and biosecurity.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills when working independently.
• Willingness to live locally in, or relocate to, the Angus Glens area.
• Willingness to undergo a PVG check for working with children and vulnerable groups.
• Confidence engaging groups in informal outdoor learning settings.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a suitably insured vehicle.

Why Join Us?

Competitive Salary: 30,000-35,000 depending on experience.

Generous Leave: 38 days paid leave per year (including public holidays).

Professional Development: Regular CPD and networking with leading environmental organisations.

Meaningful Impact: A direct role in restoring native woodlands across the Southeast Cairngorms.

Purpose-Driven Work: Help shape a nursery with strong social and ecological values, guided by our motto: "Change Your Future."

The Best Team!

We’re a close-knit, family-run team with a real passion for what we do and why it matters. You won't be left to figure things out on your own — from day one, you'll have plenty of support behind you. We share ideas, talk problems through, roll our sleeves up together and back each other when things get challenging. We care deeply about the land, the people we work with, and doing the job properly. The atmosphere is supportive, practical and upbeat. We celebrate the wins, learn from what doesn't go to plan, and keep moving forward together. You'll be joining a team that genuinely wants you to succeed and will do what it can to help you make the nursery the best it can be.

Ready to Change Your Future?

Apply by 24th December 2025 by sending your CV and a cover letter outlining your background and interest in this position, to [e-mail].

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and a site visit at Rottal Estate by January 8th, with decisions made by January 9th.

Questions? Call Jordan Lynch on 07491 958121.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 30,000.00-35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person