Gardener jobs in Ilminster

Company Overview

A world-class manufacturer of model railway products, and leading publisher of magazines and books, PECO was established in 1946 and is a forward-thinking family company with a long tradition of innovation. Located in the picturesque village of Beer in East Devon, we produce high specification, technically superior model railway track, plastic kits, and accessories for the model railway hobby at our two manufacturing sites at Beer and Buckfastleigh. We also publish the UK’s best-selling model railway magazine, the Railway Modeller. PECO has been proud to develop our manufacturing skills ‘in-house’ and our market-leading products and publications are distributed to businesses and retailers throughout the UK and across more than 30 countries around the world.

We also have Pecorama – a railway themed visitor attraction open to the public from time to time throughout the season, with extensive gardens. Set on a 9-acre site, the gardens are varied: from the Celebrity Designed ‘Millennium Gardens’- a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ which also incorporate a roof garden, scented walkways, a snake path, a shell grotto and wonderful hard landscaping - to the ‘Wildway’ which includes a woodland, mini lake, wildflowers and plenty of grass and hedging. Located on a hillside with stunning views overlooking Lyme Bay, the location itself provides interesting and exciting challenges, along with the fact we have what is considered by many to be one of the finest 7¼ inch gauge railways in Britain, the Beer Heights Light Railway (BHLR). This amazing miniature railway runs through the gardens and ‘Wildway’ where the track bed edgings need to be horticulturally manicured.

Overview

This role is responsible for all aspects of horticulture and presentation of the gardens. Reporting into our maintenance manager who also has horticultural experience, and with one direct report, you will manage the general upkeep and maintenance of the gardens and grounds ensuring a high horticultural standard. This role will also be integral to the ongoing design, development, and improvement of the gardens, in line with our vision for Pecorama. Due to the seasonal nature of Pecorama and opening to the general public, some weekend and/or seasonal working hours may be required from time to time

Duties

· Management of all areas of the site/gardens

· Upkeep and repair of an extensive range of equipment and tools

· Monitoring plant health, flagging problems and applying appropriate treatments

· Lead the team to deliver high standards of landscape and grounds maintenance

· Cultivating all borders to our high standards

· Choosing, ordering, and planting of annuals and all other plants including trees as appropriate

· Maintaining all areas to a high standard including grass, pruning, hedging and shrubs

· Monitoring and maintaining the lake including its wildlife (please note there are no fish)

· Maintaining paths throughout the site

· Liaising with and supervising external contractors e.g., tree surgeons as appropriate

· Managing the garden compost system

· Ensuring all garden activity is carried out in line with health and safety policies and procedures including providing a safe environment for our visitors

· Interacting with our visitors as appropriate to answer questions, share expertise and information etc

· Maintain appropriate records for the gardens as required such as planting times and tool maintenance

· Manage the gardening budget and expenses including the cost of plants and services, ordering of regular supplies, managing and processing invoices and ensuring bills are paid

· Delivering in line with our ‘green’ objectives for environmental sustainability

Essential experience/qualifications

· Good gardening knowledge and hands on experience, preferably backed up with Horticultural qualifications

· Good communication and interpersonal skills with a can-do attitude

· Strong teamworking skills, with an ability to motivate, train and develop others and to lead or manage teams and projects

· Flexible and agile to take on new responsibilities as we look to adapt our Pecorama offer

· Commercial acumen

· An ability to work to tight deadlines, be punctual and reliable

· PC literate with a good working knowledge of excel, word and outlook packages

· Be competent with relevant machinery

· Have a full driving licence

Desirable/useful experience

· Driving experience with relevant vehicles such as small tractors

· Certificates in chain sawing and spraying

· PA1 and PA6 pesticides licenses

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free flu jabs
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person