Projects & Machinery Manager |Surrey
From Horticruitment
Our client is an established commercial grounds maintenance company providing a comprehensive range of services to commercial clients and sports facilities. Alongside its core grounds maintenance contracts, the business undertakes a variety of specialist projects, including hard and soft landscaping installations, tree works, seasonal improvements and sports pitch renovation services.
As the business continues to grow, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious and driven horticultural or landscaping professional to take on a developing management role, overseeing these specialist projects alongside the management and coordination of the company’s machinery fleet.
This position would suit someone with a relevant higher-level qualification, such as an HND, BTEC or BSc in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Landscape Construction, Sports Turf Management, Agriculture or a related discipline, who is looking to take the next step in their career and progress into project management. The successful candidate will ideally have some practical exposure to both hard and soft landscaping, alongside a good understanding of grounds maintenance operations, machinery and site-based work.
The Role
The Projects & Machinery Manager will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing one-off landscaping projects, specialist grounds works and seasonal renovations across the company’s commercial and sports grounds portfolio, together with the day-to-day management of its machinery and equipment fleet.
Working closely with the existing Grounds Maintenance Contracts Managers, the successful candidate will help plan and deliver projects from initial scheduling and resource allocation through to completion, quality checks and client sign-off. They will play a key role in ensuring that labour, materials, machinery and external contractors are coordinated effectively, with projects delivered safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the right academic background, practical understanding and commercial mindset to develop their project management experience within an established and growing business. While previous management experience would be advantageous, our client is particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate initiative, drive, energy, strong organisational ability and a genuine desire to progress into a position of greater responsibility.
The role will involve a combination of planning, coordination, team leadership and site visits, with hands-on involvement when required. A sound horticultural or landscaping background, strong communication skills, an analytical approach and the confidence to take ownership of projects are essential. The successful candidate will receive support, mentoring and structured training to develop the technical, operational and management skills required to take full responsibility for the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Planning & Coordination
- Team Leadership & Development
- Landscaping & Operational Delivery
- Machinery Management & Maintenance
- Procurement, Logistics & Asset Management
- Health, Safety & Compliance
Skills, Experience & Personal Qualities
Our client is looking for a candidate with the drive, energy and ambition to develop into a confident project management professional. The successful individual will combine a relevant higher-level qualification with practical industry exposure, strong organisational skills and the ability to learn quickly.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Relevant Higher-Level Qualification: HND, BTEC, BSc or equivalent in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Landscape Construction, Agriculture, Sports Turf Management or a related subject.
- Landscaping Knowledge: Some practical experience or exposure to both hard and soft landscaping, with a willingness to broaden technical knowledge and experience.
- Project Coordination: Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, schedules and resources.
- Leadership Potential: The confidence to coordinate teams, communicate clearly and develop into a position of operational leadership.
- Commercial Awareness: An understanding of budgets, costs, resource efficiency and the importance of delivering profitable projects.
- Machinery Knowledge: A good practical understanding of horticultural, agricultural or landscaping machinery, including its operation, maintenance and servicing requirements.
- Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach, with the ability to identify issues and work towards practical solutions.
- Communication: Professional interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues, clients, suppliers and contractors.
- Time Management: The ability to organise workloads, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.
- Adaptability: A willingness to combine office-based planning and coordination with regular site visits and hands-on operational support.
- Initiative & Drive: A self-motivated individual who takes responsibility for their development and is keen to learn, progress and take on increasing responsibility.
- Full Driving Licence: Essential for travel between sites and operational locations.
Education & Qualifications
- HND, BTEC Higher National or BSc in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Landscape Construction, Agriculture, Sports Turf Management or a related discipline, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Additional training or qualifications relating to machinery operation, plant maintenance, health and safety or project management would be advantageous.
Training & Career Development
This role offers a structured opportunity to progress into a position of full project management responsibility. Our client recognises that candidates with strong academic qualifications, practical industry exposure and the right attitude may not yet have experience across every aspect of the position.
Initial responsibilities will therefore be tailored to the successful candidate’s existing qualifications, experience and competencies. Working alongside the business management team and experienced operational colleagues, the individual will receive appropriate guidance, mentoring and training to develop their knowledge of project planning, budgeting, resource management, machinery coordination, team leadership and commercial operations.
As competence and confidence develop, additional responsibilities will be introduced progressively, with the expectation that the successful candidate will take ownership of their professional development, demonstrate initiative and work towards managing projects independently.
The long-term objective is to develop a capable and commercially aware Projects & Machinery Manager who can take responsibility for the successful delivery of specialist landscaping projects and the effective management of the company’s machinery portfolio.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 6.30 – 3.30 pm
Salary: Circa £45,000 DOE
If this Project Manager role is of interest, please click ‘Apply Now’ above or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 732767 or email sara@horticruitment.com
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Thank you for your interest in the Project Manager role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.