Commercial horticulturist

Commercial horticulturist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Commercial horticulturists are employed by growers and suppliers of fresh produce such as farms, pick-your-own establishments and nurseries. They also work for co-operatives, fruit and vegetable processing, packaging and distribution companies, production nurseries, and government agencies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Typical responsibilities include:

• overseeing horticultural cultivation, maintenance and weed/pest/disease control programmes;
• ensuring compliance with UK and European community regulations and legislation: eg organic cultivation requirements;
• organising horticultural trials;
• analysing horticultural yields, operational costs and financial returns;
• maintaining financial and administrative records;
• writing/modifying business plans; supervising staff; developing new products;
• negotiating contracts with buyers and suppliers;
• liaising/communicating with colleagues, local officials, customers, professional groups etc;
• ensuring that deadlines and quality standards are met within set budgets;
• organising/giving presentations and demonstrations;
• providing training;
• marketing and selling produce;
• problem solving;
• attending conferences.

Over recent years there has been a gradual decrease in the number of opportunities arising within the industry. Consequently, vacancies attract strong competition. Jobs are advertised via the Internet, in local/national newspapers and publications including Opportunities, Horticulture Week, New Scientist, Nature, Farmers' Weekly, Scottish Farmer, The Grower and other trade journals.

Qualifications and training required

Formal academic qualifications are not essential for entry into the profession, although degrees/HNDs in horticulture, agriculture, soil/earth sciences, environmental science or crop/plant science are beneficial. A relevant postgraduate qualification may also be helpful for some opportunities.

Practical paid or voluntary work experience (such as crop growing, retail etc.) is essential. This can be gained via work shadowing, vacation jobs, placements and short-term contracts.

Key skills for commercial horticulturists

In addition to horticultural skills and knowledge, employers look for evidence of initiative, commercial awareness and good problem solving, communication, teamworking and practical cultivation skills.

All candidates must be physically fit and capable of working well under the pressure of meeting tight deadlines. A full driving licence is also normally required.