Horticultural manager
Garden centre manager
A horticultural manager grows plants commercially for use in parks, gardens and public spaces.
Salary range: £18,000 to £40,000
How to become a horticultural manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- horticulture and management
- commercial horticulture
- horticulture and plant science
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could work towards this role by doing a college course in a relevant subject like:
- Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture
- Level 3 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
- Level 4 Diploma in Horticultural Practice
You can also complete Royal Horticultural Society qualifications.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You can work towards this role by starting with a horticulture supervisor advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Work
You could work your way into this role by starting out as a horticultural worker and applying for promotion when you’ve got more experience and qualifications.
Other routes
Some larger companies have graduate management trainee schemes for the fresh food, produce and arable industries.
More information
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a horticultural manager from The Royal Horticultural Society and Grow Careers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of biology
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- business management skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to motivate and manage staff
- the ability to sell products and services
- excellent verbal communication skills
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- preparing and updating operational and business plans
- keeping records and managing budgets and accounts
- analysing costs
- developing new products and markets, and negotiating with suppliers
- designing layouts and developing planting programmes
- scheduling the planting and harvesting of crops
- managing pest, disease and weed control programmes
- making sure health and safety regulations and procedures are followed
- recruiting and managing a skilled and trained workforce
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a garden centre.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career path and progression
You could move to a senior management position or set up your own nursery or garden centre.
You could complete The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Master of Horticulture qualification, if you have the RHS Level 3 Diploma or equivalent and at least 4 years of experience.