Horticultural Manager

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

44 to 46 a week

weekends on a rota

How To Become a Horticultural Manager

You can get into this job through:

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

College / 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

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

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
Level 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by starting with a horticulture supervisor advanced apprenticeship.

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

Routes into this Career

You could work your way into this role by starting out as a horticultural worker and applying for promotion when you've got more experience and qualifications.

Other Routes

Some larger companies have graduate management trainee schemes for the fresh food, produce and arable industries.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

On a typical day you may:

prepare and update operational and business plans
keep records and manage budgets and accounts
analyse costs
develop new products and markets, and negotiate with suppliers
design layouts and develop planting programmes
schedule the planting and harvesting of crops
manage pest, disease and weed control programmes
make sure health and safety regulations and procedures are followed
recruit and manage a skilled and trained workforce

Working Environment

You could work in an office or at a garden centre.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career Path & Progression

You could move to a senior management position or set up your own nursery or garden centre.

You could complete The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Master of Horticulture qualification, if you have the RHS Level 3 Diploma or equivalent and at least 4 years of experience.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a horticultural manager from The Royal Horticultural Society and Grow Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.