Garden Centre jobs in Swarkestone

Optimistic – Equity – Kindness – Innovation – Collaboration

Kindly note that we cannot accept CVs, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education requirements. All applications must be submitted via the link provided only.

Derby College Group (DCG) is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Plant Centre Lead to support the day-to-day operation of our busy and successful Plant Centre at Broomfield Hall. This exciting role combines commercial management with horticultural expertise, ensuring the Plant Centre operates as a successful retail enterprise while providing an outstanding learning environment for students.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to take lead of a thriving Plant Centre, balancing commercial success with educational impact. You will oversee plant production, retail operations, stock management and customer experience, while supporting learners to develop industry-relevant horticultural skills. Working closely with staff, students and the wider community, you will drive income generation, promote sustainability, and help ensure the Plant Centre continues to grow as both a successful business and an outstanding learning environment.

Whilst guided working hours are in place, flexibility is essential, as the needs of the plants and business must always be prioritised.

For a full explanation of the roles and responsibilities, please click here.

About You

You’ll be an experienced horticultural professional with strong plant knowledge and a background in a plant nursery, garden centre or similar commercial environment. Passionate about customer service, you’ll be organised, proactive and commercially aware, with experience of stock management, merchandising and supervising others. You’ll have excellent communication skills, be confident using IT systems and social media, and enjoy working with students, staff and customers. A Level 3 vocational qualification, Level 2 English and Maths, and a full UK driving licence are essential.

For a full explanation of the Person Specification, please click here.

The Benefits

• Salary of £29,165 per annum (this includes our recent pay award)
• 34 days holiday (inclusive of 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days where these occur)
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
• Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
• TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card)
• Discounted Tastecard
• Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
• Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
• Continuous development and progression opportunities
• Free eye tests with Specsavers
• Our new and enhanced Employee Assistance Programme provides 24/7 confidential support for wellbeing, mental health, and life matters
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, reasonable adjustments, or about the role, please contact us at hrrecruitment@derby-college.ac.uk.

Safeguarding statement

DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. An online search of the preferred candidate is also completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

If you require visa sponsorship

Please note that unfortunately, this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

We are committed to embedding sustainability throughout Derby College Group, from the way we operate to the way we educate and support our learners. We welcome applicants who are motivated to support our sustainability ambitions, help reduce our environmental impact, and contribute to a creating a more sustainable world for our future generations.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a PSL of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list.

Job Description