ASSISTANT PLANT NURSERY MANAGER / POTTING SUPERVISOR
Anglo Aquatic Plant – the UK’s leading grower & seller of water plants
Location: Enfield, EN2
Hours: 7am – 4pm (winter) / 7.30am – 4.30am (summer) – We are a sociable bunch, who
sometimes work unsociable hours – you must be able to work flexibly during our busy periods
(March – July) including some weekends.
Salary & Benefits: Competitive Base Salary, which will be reviewed upon successful completion
of probation period. Annual bonus based on company sales & personal performance, 28 days
holidays (including bank holidays), fully equipped & modern staff canteen, staff
games/wellbeing room, free parking
About the opportunity
We are now hiring for an exciting leadership development opportunity and seeking an
Assistant Nursery Manager, to work closely alongside and support our Nursery Operations
Manager to oversee all operations of the nursery, including supervising staff, monitoring plant
health, and taking the initiative on a wide variety of operational tasks. Initially leading the
Potting Operations (our vital all-year-around activity) to learn the details of the production
cycle at Anglo, your role will then develop and be trained on all other aspects of production
operations on the nursery as the busy season slows down.
This is a physically demanding role that requires a sound level of fitness, manual dexterity and
a high degree of competence with plant and machinery. You will be leading the management of
logistics around the nursery as well as leading the Nursery team – organising and distributing
work against the year’s potting schedule and ensuring they have the tools and resources
required for them to effectively do their roles.
Our busiest time of year runs from March to July and outside of these times, our production
team are busy in our Nursery growing, nurturing and preparing stock for the following year.
Key Responsibilities
• Shadowing the Nursery Manager across Production Operations on the Nursery,
understanding the overall production infrastructure, systems and processes – plant
machinery, logistics, irrigation systems, pumps, and plant quality.
• You’ll be solely responsible for the Potting Operations, ensuring the safe and efficient running
of the Potting Machine - including changing pot sizes, keeping correct soil mixes continually
topped up and overseeing production quality.
• You will be driving Forklifts, Telehandlers and other plant machinery to ensure Potting
operations run smoothly and with minimal down-time
• Managing logistics around site safely and efficiently
• Loading/unloading lorries, liaising with delivery drivers and supply chain
• Building great working relationships with the nursery Production Team, setting clear
expectations on tasks in daily morning briefings
• Supervise nursery Production Team and delegate tasks as necessary
• Maintain inventory and ensure the availability of necessary supplies, placing orders where
necessary
• Implement and enforce safety and health regulations
• Train new staff members on nursery procedures and safety protocols
• Monitor plant health and troubleshoot/communicate any issues to the Nursery Manager and
Planner
• Manage plant production, including seeding, watering, pruning, and pest control
About You
You will be mechanically minded, physically fit, an exceptional problem-solver, highly organised, and
someone who readily takes the lead & initiative in situations. This is an excellent leadership
development opportunity for somebody looking to progress their career in Horticulture/Production into
operational management.
This is an outdoors, site-based role, a greenhouse environment that will see you working in all
elements, all year around. It’s likely you’ll have a passion for outdoor pursuits, team leadership-based
activities and/or mechanical projects in your personal time – having a curious interest in how things fit
together, systems work, and an enthusiasm for learning.
Previous plant knowledge (or Horticultural qualification) is not necessarily required, as you’ll learn
quickly on the job – however you should be willing to learn, have an interest in Horticulture and the
activities associated with running a world-class plant production facility. We take a pride in our high
standards and overall cleanliness and organisation of our nursery production operations.
Personal Attributes
You have high standards of self and others
You inspire and motivate others – ‘mucks in’ and lead by example
You’re analytically minded – detail oriented, have a fluency with all things mechanical and like
to understand ‘how things work’
Completer-finisher – you see problems through to resolution
Sense of urgency – operates to timescales quickly, effectively and safely
Skills & Experience
• Team-leadership – a minimum of 2-3 years relevant team leadership experience, gained
across either professional setting or personal interests
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience defining and leading time-critical site-based operational
activities against a plan within a relevant heavy industry –Horticulture/Landscaping
Production, Construction/Trades, Transport & Warehousing, Logistics, Facilities Management
• Experience/Competent driver of plant machinery – Telescopic Handler License / Telehandler
Counterbalance license (or be willing to undertake)
• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in a professional setting requiring frequent problem-solving /
troubleshooting
The Working Environment – what to expect
• 4 Acres of greenhouses across a 6-acre site and split into a grid system which includes a large
packing shed, Potting Shed, Propagation House, Lily Block, Storage Facility and Marginal Plant
blocks accommodating the variety of pot sizes we supply. Summers will be hot/dusty!
• We enjoy plenty of visiting wildlife in our greenhouses, including robins, newts, frogs, foxes, and
a variety of wild birds
• Office containing shower facilities, large training room, fully operational, modern and clean staff
canteen with full kitchen appliances and equipment and outdoor seating area.
• A fully equipped staff games & fitness room with vaulted ceiling and storage for personal gym &
training equipment
• A friendly, hard-working office team operates all year round to support our production operations
team
• Annual summer BBQ on-site to celebrate the end of each busy season
We are a family-run team, and that team includes our friendly four-legged friends – please don’t
consider applying if you don’t like dogs! The interview and selection process will include a day’s trial
at the Nursery with the Nursery Operations Manager.
About Anglo Aquatic
We are a family-owned business that have been growing and supplying the most
comprehensive range of high-quality aquatic plants in the UK for over 60 years to Garden
Centres, Landscaper, Developers and Internet based customers. We are run by an exceptional
and dedicated team who have over 100 years combined experience of growing and producing
over 180 species of cold-water plants, priding ourselves on our high quality, our customer-first
approach and the fact many of our customers have been with us for decades. As well as
growing and supplying beautiful water plants, we support our customers with expert
knowledge and advice, operating flexibly to adapt to their needs. We have won many
prestigious Horticulture awards over the years, including the Tudor-Rose Award (best in show)
numerous times at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, being the first company to bring
the Swimming Pond landscaping concept to the UK from Northern Europe.
We are also hiring for the following roles: Grower/Propagation Lead, Sales & Customer Service
Coordinator.
Please do get in touch with Claire Beattie at recruit@angloaquatic.co.uk if you’d like to
enquire further about these opportunities.