Head Grower
Overview
On behalf of our client, we are recruiting for a Head Grower role to be responsible for growing cut flowers for a luxury floristry brand. The role is based in North Oxfordshire near Banbury. This is a full-time, permanent position.
The cutting garden is set within the grounds of a beautiful 16th century estate in North Oxfordshire, which has a long-history of cut flower production.
This luxury brand, who deal with high end clients and events, are looking for a grower who has the skills and expertise to grow the most ravishing flowers for their business.
Job duties
Responsibilities of the Head Grower for luxury floristry brand on private estate near Banbury:
- Manage the cut flower production at the cutting garden, to include maintenance, propagation, planting, pruning, staking, weeding
- Ensuring the garden is maintained to a very high standard at all times
- Create yearly planning schedules for the production of cut flowers
- Budgeting and sourcing crops as required, whether annual seed orders or for new perennial plantings
- Follow organic and regenerative principles, adhering to no-dig or min. till systems; develop and carry out all composting systems; follow the brand’s key principles of environmentally sustainable practices, across all activity and planning, including the use of green manures, compost teas, cover crops, rotational planning
- Create social media content as a routine part of the working week (documenting cutting garden developments and visuals, seasonal flowering updates, grower techniques etc)
- Manage the complex flow of the cut flower garden through the season, with the knowledge and understanding of how weather conditions (both weekly and long-term projections) can affect crops and harvests and be able to plan for eventualities with this in mind
- Adhere to organic and regenerative practices
- Implement propagation techniques
Candidates must be/have:
- At least three years’ experience of growing cut flowers for a floristry brand or high-end estate
- Experience of seasonal planning
- Planting knowledge specific to species
- Refined management skills
- Glasshouse and polytunnel production experience
- Must have a strong creative and visual eye
- You must be happy working in all weathers and also have the expertise to plan the working week according to the weather conditions, with the health of the soil or picking schedules in mind
- A full UK driver licence and be able to drive the business van regularly as needed
- Expertly organised, responsible and have a very positive, proud attitude to their work
- An exceptional communicator who works well with others, and who can provide guidance and support when needed
- A flexible approach to working hours – occasional early mornings, evenings and weekend working will be required as part of the role
Hours
Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 16:30.
However flexibility is required and depending on the weather or on workflow, you may need to pick flowers in the early morning (6am start) or evenings – eg. to avoid picking in cases on wet weather. Some weekend working may be required if flowers are to be picked for events.
Location
North Oxfordshire, Near Banbury.
Salary
£30,000 – 35,000, depending on experience.
Job ref
CP824: Head Grower for luxury floristry brand on a Private Estate near Banbury, Oxfordshire.
