We are recruiting for a Head Grower role to be responsible for growing cut flowers for the Naum Flower brand. The role is based in North Oxfordshire near Banbury. This is a full-time, permanent position.

The cutting garden is set within the grounds of a beautiful 16th century estate in North Oxfordshire, which has a long-history of cut flower production.

Naum Flower is a floristry brand, which is a part of Naum House Ltd, with high-end clients, and events. We are recruiting for a grower who has the skills and expertise to grow the most ravishing flowers for our business.

Key Role & Responsibility

·      Manage the cut flower production for Naum Flower based at the cutting garden;

·      Create yearly planning schedules for the production of cut flowers, to ensure supply of cut flowers for the brand throughout the growing season;

·      Liaise with the creative director, to ensure yearly and long term planting plans are aligned with the requirements of Naum Flower, season to season;

·      Be responsible for all maintenance of the cutting garden, including propagation, planting, pruning, staking, weeding, ensuring the garden is maintained to a high standard at all times;

·      Follow organic and regenerative principles, adhering to no-dig or min. till systems; develop and carry out all composting systems; follow the brand’s key principles of environmentally sustainable practices, across all activity and planning, including the use of green manures, compost teas, cover crops, rotational planning;

·      Be responsible for budgeting and sourcing crops as required, whether annual seed orders or for new perennial plantings;

·      Create social media content as a routine part of the working week, sharing cutting garden developments and visuals, seasonal flowering updates, documenting grower techniques, such as propagation or activities in the cutting garden, to share knowledge and expertise on sustainable growing practices with the wider community;

·      Liaise with the Operations Manager, creating weekly schedules of what will be available in the cutting garden, for the creation of Naum Flower floral arrangements for events and routine contract work;

·      Be responsible for picking flowers as required by the Operations Manager, for Naum Flower florists. This will require flexibility in working with the weather conditions, ie. Early mornings and evenings, dependent on for example warm or inclement weather;

·      You will be accountable for the production of cut flowers for the Naum Flower brand.

Person Specification

• A minimum of 3 years full-time professional growing experience with cut flowers;
• Strong planning and management skills, to include all cutting garden planning of flowers, seasonal growing lists;
• Clear communication skills; this role would suit someone who can manage the complex flow of the cut-flower garden through the season, who has a knowledge and understanding of how weather conditions, both weekly and long term projections, can effect crops and harvests, and be able to plan for eventualities with this in mind;
• A strong commitment to adhering to organic and regenerative practices, with full time previous experience working with these practices. Knowledge and know-how that you can bring to the role in this area;
• Proficiency in all aspects of cut-flower production, including propagation techniques, planting knowledge specific to species, knowledge of which crops are the best producers and being able to make a small cutting garden space (.25 - .5 acre) work in the most efficient way possible;
• A strong creative and visual eye – being able to plan and execute long term planting strategies for the cutting garden, as it continues in its phase of redesign, that links to the redesign occurring across the wider estate;
• An unflappable, positive and can-do attitude, with the ability to be flexible, to adjust plans year-on-year based on the feedback of the creative director;
• You must be able to work autonomously, as this is a sole gardening role (whilst set within the physical parameters of a wider estate team who are employed separately on the estate's ornamental gardens). You must be happy to work independently and to be able to manage having sole responsibility for the cutting garden;
• Glasshouse and polytunnel production experience essential;
• You must be happy working in all weathers and also have the expertise to plan the working week according to the weather conditions, with the health of the soil or picking schedules in mind.

This position would suit an experienced grower, who has a proven track record in growing cut flowers for a floristry brand or high-end estate, who is ready to apply their skills to a management position.

Routine Hours:

Monday – Friday (40 hours per week) (08:00-16:30)

However flexibility is required and depending on the weather or on workflow, you may need to pick flowers in the early morning (6am start) or evenings – eg. to avoid picking in cases on wet weather. Some weekend working may be required if flowers are to be picked for events.

Holiday: 28 days including bank holidays

Location: North Oxfordshire, Near Banbury

As this is a rural location, you will need to hold a driver’s licence. Public transport links to the area are limited.

Interested? To apply please email natalie@naumflower.com.