Operations Manager

Eden Scott has been retained by Christie-Elite Nurseries part of Fasque Estate to appoint a new Operations Manager based onsite in Forres, Moray. (Relocation support available)

Christie-Elite Nurseries is a specialist commercial tree nursery based on a 220-acre site in Forres, Moray. They produce high-quality bareroot and cell-grown trees for forestry, woodland creation, conservation and commercial planting projects across the UK. Reporting to the Directors, you will be a hands-on, practical and an organized manager and have overall day-to-day responsibility for the forest nursery. This is a key leadership role and ideally suited to someone who can bring structure, accountability and clear operational discipline to a seasonal, labour-intensive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan daily labour and allocate staff to clear tasks.
• Manage supervisors, team leaders, seasonal workers and agency labour.
• Oversee bareroot and cell-grown nursery operations, including crop maintenance, lifting, grading, counting, bundling, labelling, stock movement and dispatch preparation.
• Monitor productivity, quality, attendance, absence, health and safety and housekeeping standards.
• Give clear instructions, check completion and address non-compliance or poor performance appropriately.
• Produce a weekly site report covering production, dispatch, labour, people issues, stock, H&S, risks and decisions required.

Experience Required

Experienced in operations, production, site management or workforce planning. Confident in managing people in a practical, hands-on environment. Some horticultural knowledge or experience in bareroot and/or cell-grown tree nursery operations is required; forestry, agriculture or commercial plant production experience is highly relevant. Firm but fair, commercially aware, organised and comfortable working outdoors in a seasonal operation. Able to report clearly to Directors and follow through on agreed actions.