Operations Manager - Christie-Elite Nurseries, Forres

The Company:

Christie Elite Nurseries is a professional agricultural employer committed to quality, reliability and high standards across its operations. The business offers a practical, team-focused working environment where employees are valued for their contribution, attention to detail and commitment to producing exceptional trees.

The Candidate:

• The ideal candidate will be a practical, hands-on Operations Manager with experience leading teams in a busy, labour-intensive environment. They will be highly organised, confident giving clear instructions, able to plan and allocate labour effectively, and willing to address poor performance, behaviour and lack of accountability promptly and professionally.
• They should have a good working knowledge of horticulture and preferably direct experience in bareroot and/or container-grown tree nursery operations, including activities such as crop planning, lifting, grading, bundling, stock handling, storage and dispatch. They do not need to be the nursery’s technical expert, but they must understand enough about plant production and bareroot processes to make sound operational decisions and recognise when standards are not being met.
• The strongest candidate will be firm but fair, commercially aware, visible on site and comfortable reporting directly to Directors. They will be able to bring structure to a challenging operation, improve productivity and site discipline, manage supervisors effectively, and provide clear weekly reporting on production, dispatch, people, absence, health and safety, stock and decisions required.

The Package:

• Annual bonus scheme.
• Death in service insurance.
• Company events, training and CPD offered.

Please send your CV and covering letter to daisy.dunnett@christie-elite.co.uk. If you are successful in your initial application, you will be invited to complete a screening interview consisting of three questions.