Head Gardener

HEAD GARDENER / SITTINGBOURNE (ME9) / UP TO £32,000 PER ANNUM & GREAT BENEFITS

Exciting new opportunity for a passionate and experienced Head Gardener to join a small, dynamic and friendly team. Excellent pay and 1st class support from the management team.

The London Cremation Company plc is Great Britains oldest cremation authority, and its principal activities are carrying out cremations and providing memorials at its crematoria.

We now have an amazing, varied new opening for a knowledgeable Head Gardener to join our welcoming team at the beautiful and serene Sittingbourne Crematorium.

The successful Head Gardener will be responsible for all aspects of our gardens and woodland, while also managing your own orders and liaising with 3rd party suppliers.

Whats on Offer?

• Competitive salary £32,000 (dependent on experience)
• 39 hour working week, (some weekends included)
• 26 days holiday
• Pension scheme via salary sacrifice
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Income Protection Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work Scheme and other wellbeing benefits
• Retailer discounts
• Free and discounted cremation benefit for immediate family
• Smart uniform and PPE provided
• Regular social events and team building

Key Responsibilities of the Head Gardener:

• To effectively supervise and delegate tasks to your team to ensure that activities are undertaken to the highest possible safety standards.
• To supervise, motivate and work as part of a team with the aim of ensuring productive working relationships within the team, with other employees, managers and the public.
• Train and guide the gardening team, providing ongoing support and encouraging professional development.
• To be proficient with the use, general cleaning and basic maintenance of the equipment.
• To ensure the COSHH maintenance log is in order and any chemicals are accounted for and up to date and safely and correctly stored.
• Oversee all aspects of gardening, including planting, pruning, weeding, and watering.
• Maintain all gardening equipment and ensure hand/power tools and grounds maintenance equipment, machinery and vehicles for your team are in good working order and secure.
• Proactively report incidents, suggestions, or concerns regarding the site to your line manager.
• Develop and implement comprehensive plans for the gardens, lawns, and woodland areas.
• Ensure front of house and chapel flower courts are kept in a tidy manner.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Strong knowledge of horticulture, including plant identification, growth patterns, and common diseases, along with knowledge of roses and how to care for them.
• Confident in the creation of new memorial bed areas for ash interments.
• Self-motivated with the ability to confidently work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of sustainable and environmentally & friendly gardening practices.
• A passion for gardening and a genuine appreciation for the beauty of nature.
• The following would be advantageous but not essential: Spraying Certificates PA1, PA2 and PA6., Certificate/proficient in the use of a tractor, ride on mowers and hedge trimmers, Basic concrete mixing/foundation laying and can erect fencing

Whats Next?

If you have the knowledge and skill set to hit the ground running in this Head Gardener position, we would love to hear from you. APPLY NOW for immediate consideration.