Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager required

Job Ref ADV340

PGSD are a company that services clients in the London and the South East in a variety of different areas which include maintenance of highways, town councils, sports turf and educational facilities as well as major landscaping projects.

We are an ambitious company which is growing quickly and we need someone to become a part of our team who can view of the role as a career and a chance to grow, rather than a job.

We are looking for an equally ambitious person to can manage our Herts schools contracts.

The Contracts Manager role involves

-Scheduling work and relaying these schedules to our teams.

-Ensuring work is carried out to an excellent standard

-Communicating with clients

-Quoting for new and additional work and reporting to the management team

The applicant needs to have excellent organisational skills, be a strong leader, computer literate, be an excellent communicator to both staff, managers and clients alike. A full driving license is required and must be able to undergo a DBS check.

We are looking to increase our footprint in the local area and if the candidate has landscaping and sports turf knowledge, that would be beneficial.

We offer a competitive package depending on the candidates experience and what they can bring to our company. PGSD Strive to ensure that the work environment is free of harassment and bullying and that everyone is treated with dignity and respect is an important aspect of ensuring equal opportunities in employment. PGSD Limited is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.

www.pgsd.co.uk


Head Gardener

We seek applications from gardeners who have at least 3-5 years professional experience, for this challenging and interesting role of Head Gardener on a large garden situated near Watford, Hertfordshire.

The gardens are spread over 3 acres and have two rivers flowing through them. These once magnificent gardens developed from the beginning of the 19th Century, were unfortunately allowed to fall into neglect over a period of 7 years. However, the present owner with the help of specialist tree surgeons has spent the past 5 years carrying out restoration work focusing mainly on the health and welfare of the substantial tree population, which include a number of rare and specimen trees, as well as planting new and exciting varieties. This phase of the work is largely complete, but apart from general routine maintenance little has been done to the remainder of the garden. The owner is now keen to employ a Head Gardener to work with him in bringing the gardens back to their full potential. There are currently several planted areas, including rose beds and shrubs, lawns, as well as a wildflower meadow with young fruit trees. As the Head Gardener the owner would like you to recruit for an Assistant Gardener to work under you.

Your duties will include planning and developing new planting areas as well as lawn care and mowing, strimming, hedge trimming, pruning and general garden maintenance. You will also be expected to assist with the general maintenance of one of the rivers. The position provides an exciting opportunity to put your craft gardening skills to good use in bringing these gardens back to their former glory, with the assistance of another gardener.

Candidates must have at least 3-5years professional experience and be able demonstrate good gardening skills with good attention to detail. It is envisaged that the work will at times be physically demanding. He/she should have good horticultural knowledge preferably supported by a recognised horticultural qualification (RHS Level 2 or similar), as well as PA1/6 sprayers certificates. You are hard working, highly self-motivated and able to plan and organise your daily and seasonal workload whilst working closely with the owner and managing the Assistant Gardener.

You must be familiar with the safe use and general maintenance of most types of garden machinery and tools.

SALARY:        £35,000 DOE based on 42.5 hours (inc’s half an hour lunch break) per week

LOCATION: Watford,Hertfordshire

JOB No:          EC29906

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Ruth Bolam on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

To view more Gardening jobs click Gardening or to view Landscape jobs click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk


Supervisor & Experienced Grounds Maintenance Operative

Supervisor & Experienced Grounds Maintenance Operative required

Job Ref ADV322

PGSD is an experienced commercial horticulture contractor, with contracts spanning from a few thousand pounds to those in excess of £5,000,000. We have the depth of knowledge and the technical capability to undertake contracts in the commercial sector. PGSD takes pride in the work that we do and the way in which it is done. Our resources and capabilities enables us to undertake large scale maintenance and planting work. We cut the grass verges alongside many of Britain’s busiest motorways and trunk roads. PGSD also has considerable experience in large scale landscape and planting schemes, tree management and business and retail grounds maintenance. PGSD offers a fully tailored solution to our clients, where we manage all of the soft estate within their portfolio.

We are committed to minimising waste and recycling materials on site where possible. Grounds maintenance is a major focus for PGSD; our unique partnership approach has helped us win and support a wide range of public and private sector customers. With contracts spanning the South East of England PGSD has the resources required to provide an efficient tailored service This combined to our low overheads, achieved by process automation has allowed PGSD to expand rapidly over the last five years. Our aim is to supply a turnkey solution for our customers, increasing their efficiency by only dealing with a single contractor.

PGSD maintains over 100 schools in the London Borough of Hounslow, Hertfordshire and Essex, each with individually tailored maintenance plans. These reflect the size and budgeting requirements of each site. We have encouraged the schools to have on-site composting facilities to assist ‘grow your own’ projects. We think that it is important for children to be educated in how and where their food comes from. This encourages them to have care and understanding about the environment in which they live. PGSD ensures the highest standards of presentation to the grassed areas of your school, using the latest technology and innovation to ensure that you receive the best service.

We require:

  • a supervisor
  • an experienced grounds maintenance operative

to work out of our Harlow depot to work on our grass cutting and shrub maintenance teams. The right candidate would have an experience in operating strimmers, ride on mowers, pedestrian mowers, hedge cutters and weeding machines as well as good background knowledge in grass and horticulture. Experience in operating a tractor and in line marking sports grounds is a huge plus. The right candidate must have driving licence.

Able to carry out DBS check.

Full induction, training, PPE and uniform will be provided.

Striving to ensure that the work environment is free of harassment and bullying and that everyone is treated with dignity and respect is an important aspect of ensuring equal opportunities in employment. PGSD Limited has a separate dignity at work policy, which deals with these issues.

www.pgsd.co.uk


Sole Gardener

A Sole Gardener is sought after to manage and maintain a beautiful 24-acre estate situated in North Hertfordshire. The grounds comprise 12 acres of paddocks plus formal garden and waterways / ancient moat. The formal gardens consist of lawns, shrubberies, borders, hedging, green house, large patio with pots and planters. There is also a vegetable garden, fruit cage and orchard, plus a shared driveway with trees and grassed areas. The owners have a donkey sanctuary for rescue donkeys on the estate and keep a number of chickens, geese, sheep and pigs.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced gardener who has excellent practical skills in all aspects of craft gardening and is able to maintain the garden and grounds to a high standard. The owners are keen to find someone who is able to use their initiative and has the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to work closely with them in helping to develop certain aspects of the garden.

The person appointed will be a team player and have a flexible approach to their duties as they will occasionally be required to look after the livestock and assist in the donkey sanctuary, as well as being available for occasional security duties if the owners are away.

The sole gardener will have good knowledge of plants and garden practices. Experience in vegetable and fruit production and propagation work would be an advantage. He / She will have experience using a range of garden machinery as well as drive a tractor with attachments. Chainsaw certification (CS30/31) and spray certificates (PA1/PA6) are desirable is not essential. Due to its rural location, it is important that applicants have a current driving licence with own transport.

The position offers a great opportunity to have a significant impact on the garden and grounds.

SALARY:        Circa 28,000 depending on experience  
LOCATION:   Hertfordshire
JOB No:          EC27803

If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

To view more Gardening jobs click Gardening or to view Landscape jobs click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Sole Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Sole Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk


Hard Landscaping Foreman

Hard Landscaping Foreman required

Job Ref - X752

Our client specialises in the design and build of water features and construct beautifully landscaped gardens since 1992.As in most areas of construction, fashions come and go and their enthusiastic team excels at experimenting with new themes as well as skilfully executing traditionally or contemporary constructed water features and landscaped gardens. Their extensive portfolio ranges from small suburban and rural gardens to large country house gardens and we undertake each project with the same level and commitment and professionalism.

An excellent opportunity has become available for a hands-on hard landscape foreman on a full time and permanent basis to predominantly work in North and East Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex. The ideal candidate will be well organised and highly skilled, someone who is driven and passionate about materials, finishes and in delivering high quality landscapes to the required timeframe.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in successfully running large domestic projects, which will include ordering materials and plant, interpreting plans and performing a wide variety of hard and soft landscaping skills. You will have a reporting function to management on a regular basis and will be required to deliver projects on time and on budget. Some experience working with ponds and water features would be useful but not essential. You must be well presented and able to liaise with clients and designers effectively.

Applicants will have a minimum of two years previous experience in hard landscaping and should have the ability to communicate effectively with our clients, the operations team, and designers. You should also be able to supervise, train and motivate labourers and apprentices. A good level of spoken English is required as well as be physically fit and able to work in all weather conditions. A full UK driving licence is essential (with a maximum of 6 points).

The working week is 40 hours per week minimum, on site from 7.30 am to 4:00 pm. Provided with the role is a company van for work purposes, quality work wear and tools/kit and ongoing training and development. Annual leave is 28 Days holiday including bank holidays.

If this Hard Landscaping Foreman vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 732767 or sara@horticruitment.com.

To view more Landscape jobs, click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Hard Landscaping Foreman vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Hard Landscaping Foreman vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.horticruitment.com


Experienced Gardener

Experienced Gardener required to work on a beautiful  private estate in Stanmore, Middlesex.

The estate is set in 35 acres with 2 acres of formal lawns, bedding around the house, a walled kitchen garden with a substantial greenhouse growing a mixture of fruit and vegetables, Koi and informal ponds and Japanese Garden, Folly, woodlands, paddocks and stabling.

The applicant must have good horticultural knowledge and experience in growing vegetables and fruit is essential, as is the ability to multi-task on the various daily gardening and estate management responsibilities. The applicant must be enthusiastic and self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative within a small but dedicated team. Applicants should have a range of practical skills and ATV, spray and chainsaw certificates are desirable

Competitive Salary of up to £30,000 DOE with standard holidays.  Hours of work are Monday-Friday full time.


Gardener

Gardener required

Job Ref ADV290

We are looking for a full-time gardener to work within our small landscape gardening company. Our work is based in North London, Barnet and Hertfordshire. 

Our company name has been in operation for over 20 years and primarily offers garden maintenance to domestic clients. Having recently taken over leadership of this small firm, we are excited to expand our range of services to include hard and soft landscaping, irrigation, and to serve commercial contracts.

You will be expected to work as a member of a two-person team, or independently, to carry out garden and grounds maintenance work. The role and responsibilities of the gardener will include appropriate pruning, lawn care, keeping garden cleanliness, and other such garden maintenance activities. You will be expected to have reasonable plant knowledge, to include knowing when and how to carry out appropriate pruning of a range of different plants. You will be expected to deal with minor requests from clients and to maintain a garden design through regular maintenance.

You must be conscientious, polite, and well-presented. You must be able to work under your own initiative and have a positive attitude toward your work, your colleagues, and the clients. You will be expected to have experience in a gardening role. 

A full UK driving licence is essential for this role. A Level 2 horticultural qualification is desirable but not essential. PA1 & PA6 are desirable. 

The position is full time (40 hours per week) with the first job starting at 8am finishing at approximately 3.30pm and the salary offered is up to £21,500 depending on experience. The position comes with a van, which can be used to commute to work. The position is open and we would require the right person to start as soon as possible.


Head Gardener

A superb opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener to play a key role in the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of a beautiful private estate in Hertfordshire.  The role will involve day-to-day hands-on leadership and supervision of a team of skilled gardeners.  The successful candidate will need to work with the owners and garden designer to enhance and develop the garden.  This role will suit an experienced gardener with strong leadership skills, excellent horticultural knowledge and desire to take on a dynamic garden on a collaborative basis.

The impressive period property is framed by gardens designed by a highly respected Chelsea Gold Medal winning designer who continues to be involved with the gardens on a regular basis.  The privately-owned estate encompasses approximately 40 acres, of which five are gardens maintained to a very high standard.  The gardens are open once a year at the end of May as part of the NGS scheme and as testament to their popularity, in 2019 broke the regional record for the most successful turnout in a day with well over 1000 visitors. 

The varied site includes a ¾ acre walled garden, a 4 ¼ acre ornamental garden with water features, trees, shrubs, perennials and a long list of additional features, plants and areas beyond.  Glasshouses on site are used for propagation, growing vegetables, overwintering citrus, and ornamentals.  The remainder of the estate encompasses paddocks/ménage, two tennis courts, parkland and a swimming pool.  The garden team are noted for their production of fruit and vegetables, of which some are used for home-made preserves and juices which are sold locally. The estate also provides a home for various animals; a small herd of Dexter cattle, Texel sheep, chickens and horses.  The owners own an adjacent property; the Coach House, with a small garden and an additional 7-acre rental property in the area that includes paddocks and a garden, which are also overseen by the Head Gardener. 

The Head Gardener will oversee the team and be the sole point of contact to the property owner and Estate Manager/Designer.  Applicants must be excellent communicators and be able to manage team members with diplomacy, whilst ensuring a positive environment.  Successful collaboration with the Estate Manager/Designer and the property owners is of paramount importance, as the creative input from all parties has ensured the garden’s popularity to date and must continue to do so.  The property owners are genuinely enthusiastic and dedicated to the gardens, so this role will be varied and interesting, with a high standard of horticulture required at all times.  

Applications are sought from experienced and knowledgeable private estate Skilled/Senior/Head Gardeners who will ideally have assumed responsibility of garden staff management.  The successful candidate will be used to handling dynamic environments with some pressure at times and will be adept at problem solving and will enjoy rising to and managing challenges alongside a talented team.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for ensuring all machinery on site is serviced (by the appropriate external technicians where necessary) and kept in good working order.  Chemical spray certificate and chainsaw licenses are both desirable but not essential.  The successful applicant will be self-motivated, have excellent communication skills, staff/volunteer supervisory skills and most importantly, excellent horticultural knowledge.  A full driving licence and your own transport are required as the property is located rurally.  A living allowance will be provided to the successful candidate in addition to the salary.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application will have been unsuccessful.

SALARY:       £35,000 - £40,000 DOE + Accommodation allowance

LOCATION:  Ayot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire

JOB No:          EC15785

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

To view more Gardening jobs click Gardening or to view Landscape jobs click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk


Kitchen Gardener

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Kitchen Gardener to take ownership of a varied and interesting productive garden on a beautiful and well-known private estate near Ayot-St-Lawrence in Hertfordshire.  The impressive period property is framed by gardens designed by a highly respected Chelsea Gold Medal winning designer who continues to be involved with the gardens at an estate/garden management level.  The new Kitchen Gardener will liaise with the property owner and the estate manager/designer as well as the Senior Gardener with a view to ensuring the smooth running and further development of the kitchen garden in line with new ideas and techniques.  This position would suit a talented kitchen gardener with a genuine passion for the production of fruit and vegetables; common and otherwise, as well as a hunger to experiment with new produce where possible.

The privately-owned estate encompasses approximately 40 acres, of which five are gardens maintained to a very high standard.  The gardens are open once a year at the end of May as part of the NGS scheme and as testament to their popularity, have recently broken the regional record for the most successful turnout in a day.  The varied site includes a 4 ¼ acre ornamental garden with water features, trees, shrubs, perennials and a long list of additional features, plants and areas beyond.  Glasshouses on site are used for propagation, growing vegetables, overwintering citrus, and a few ornamentals.  The remainder of the estate encompasses paddocks/ménage, a tennis court, parkland and a swimming pool.  The existing garden team are noted for their small but much-praised production of fruit and vegetables, of which some are used for home-made preserves and juices. The estate also provides a home for various animals; a small herd of Dexter cattle, Texel sheep, chickens and horses. 

The kitchen garden encompasses ¾ acre in addition to the two glasshouses and two poly tunnels.  A wide variety of fruit (top and soft fruit), vegetables and herbs are grown within the walled garden and the glasshouses, one of which is classed as an orangery.  As the estate opens on occasion to the public and sells the produce on a regular basis, presentation and planning is important.  The estate has featured in several publications and is a respected property due to the stunning gardens and edible produce which, on open days, are displayed in such a way as to demonstrate the growing process as well as the end result.  The Kitchen Gardener must be able to plan and execute the production of batches of fruit and vegetables on time throughout the seasons.  The property owner is very passionate about the productive aspect of the gardens and is passionate about food and cooking, so welcomes new ideas and methodologies to ensure continued interest.

Applications are sought from experienced and knowledgeable Kitchen Gardeners who will have assumed responsibility of a varied productive garden either on a private or commercial site.  The successful applicant will be required to assist in the ornamental gardens during quiet times of the season and when work in the kitchen garden slows, so applicants should be willing and able to assist on a general horticultural / garden maintenance front when their primary duties allow. 

The successful applicant will be self-motivated, genuinely enthusiastic about productive gardening, with excellent communication and time management skills.  A full driving licence and your own transport are required as the property is located rurally.

SALARY:       £25,000 - £30,000 DOE
LOCATION:  Ayot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire
JOB No:          EC15306

If this Kitchen Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

To view more Gardening jobs click Gardening or to view Landscape jobs click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Kitchen Gardenervacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Kitchen Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk


Grounds Person / Gardener

A rare opportunity has arisen for a Skilled Grounds Person to utilise their turf management skills on a stunning private estate whilst also having the opportunity to develop their gardening and horticultural knowledge.  This vacancy will suit a candidate with strong turf care experience, i.e. of grass tennis courts, cricket pitches etc. and a keen interest in gardening.

The impressive 16th century manor house is framed by gardens designed by a highly respected Chelsea Gold Medal winning designer.  The Estate encompasses approximately 40-acres, five of which are gardens maintained to a very high standard and are open once a year in May as part of the NGS scheme, with visitor numbers exceeding 1000 every year. The ornamental gardens feature many elements including specimen trees and shrubs, mixed and herbaceous planting, an orchard, water features, fine lawns and meadow areas. The garden has two glasshouses including an orangery and a polytunnel to provide additional growing space. The kitchen garden and adjacent allotment space are used for the production of fruit and vegetables, of which some are used for preserves and juices.  The remainder of the estate encompasses a swimming pool, outbuildings, horse stables, paddocks, beehives, parkland, a tennis court and a smallholding. The estate is also the home of a small number of Dexter cattle, sheep and chickens.  

Expansive areas of lawn and a new grass tennis court will be the focus of this new role, with the successful candidate maintaining these areas as their primary responsibility and reporting to the Head Gardener.  The working week will vary between the seasons; the summer will consist of 4-5 days of mowing, edging and fine turf care, with any additional time being spent maintaining the hedges and other areas of the garden.  Winter duties will be determined by the requirements of the lawns and grass tennis court and will include a greater proportion of time in the wider garden alongside the small team.

In addition to the main gardens, the client owns one additional local property at which the successful candidate may be asked to undertake lawn management and general garden maintenance alongside the team.

The successful candidate will be well-versed in the management of fine turf, to include treatment by way of feeding, scarification, pest and disease control, seeding, drainage and other associated duties to ensure the highest quality turf and lawns throughout the seasons.  Professionals with a strong background in fine lawn care, tennis court and/or cricket pitch management would be suitable applicants, as interviews will in part involve discussion with an industry specialist.  Basic machinery operation and maintenance will form part of the role so candidates must be able to demonstrate their abilities in these areas via previous positions of responsibility.

Good physical fitness and a commitment to the garden are necessary, as is a willingness to work as part of a small and friendly team where required to do so.  Applicants must have a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to contribute to the smooth running of the estate.  A full driving license and transport are required as the property is in a rural location.

SALARY:        Circa £25,000 DOE
LOCATION:  Ayot-St-Lawrence, Hertfordshire
JOB No:          EC13922

If this Grounds Person / Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

To view more Gardening jobs click Gardening or to view Landscape jobs click Landscape.

To apply for a position with horticruitment you will need to complete a candidate registration form, please see Candidate Registration.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

You will need to be registered with horticruitment to find out where and how your personal data is used whilst using our work finding services please view our privacy policy.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Grounds Person / Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Grounds Person / Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

www.englishcountrygardeners.co.uk