Horticultural manager

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• horticulture and management
• commercial horticulture
• horticulture and plant science

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

You could choose a course that includes a placement or internship. Your university careers service can also help you find work experience.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could work towards this role by doing a college course in a relevant subject like:

• level 3 Diploma in Horticulture
• level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
• level 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice

You could also get a qualification from The Royal Horticulture Society .

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a horticulture supervisor advanced apprenticeship to work towards a management role.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a horticultural worker  to get experience and work your way up to a management role.

OtherRoutes

Some larger companies have graduate schemes working with fresh food, produce and crops.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of biology
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• business management skills
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• the ability to sell products and services
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• leadership skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• active listening skills
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• maths skills

What you'll do:

A horticultural manager grows plants for use in parks, gardens and public spaces.

On a typical day you might:

• prepare and update business plans
• manage staff and budgets, analyse costs and make sure health and safety procedures are followed
• develop new products and negotiate with suppliers
• design layouts and develop planting programmes
• decide when to plant and harvest crops
• manage pests, disease and weed control

Location : You could work in an office or at a garden centre.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £34,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

44 - 46 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• move into a senior management role
• set up your own nursery or garden centre
• complete the Master of Horticulture qualification