Production Gardener

at  Weleda UK Ltd

PRODUCTION GARDENER

We’re looking for a Production Gardener to join Weleda UK’s garden team. We grow over 45 medicinal plants in our 13-acre gardens in Shipley. They range from trees like Birch, Thuja and Willow, shrubs and hedgerow bushes like Blackthorn and Hawthorn, field crops of Calendula, Oats, Chamomile, Hypericum, plus smaller quantities of herbs, wildflowers and poisonous plants including belladonna and aconite.
The fresh plants we grow in our gardens will be processed into fresh plant tinctures and dried herbs for Weleda UK’s range of medicinal remedies, pharmaceutical products and skincare, following strict Good Manufacturing Practice. Harvested amounts can vary from 1 – 200kg per day!
Our site is highly diverse and mimics natural ecosystems. Some plants are grown in beds, others are grown extensively in meadows or in our woodland edges. We are completely organic, using Biodynamic methods with Demeter certification. Initial cultivation for field crops is done mechanically with tractors; everything else is done by hand.
Our job is unique, as we not only grow the medicinal plants, but also make them into tinctures in our production facility in Ilkeston. This provides a lot of variety, but also requires high levels of flexibility. To be successful in this role, you will have gained experience in horticulture, agriculture or a comparable growing operation, be organised, efficient and be good at record keeping.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least one years’ experience of working in a professional, productive year-round garden or farm.
• Good knowledge of plant propagation, growth and cultivation for perennials, annuals and biennials.
• An interest in medicinal plants, herbal medicines and Anthroposophical medicines.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Competence in general organic or biodynamic gardening skills
• Competence with garden machinery including the use of hand/power tools
• Ability to follow strict manufacturing guidelines and to GMP standards.
• Ideally a RHS or City & Guilds Level 2 in Horticulture (or equivalent level of experience)
• Driving license (category B) required to be able to operate tractors and company van (training can be provided as required).

BEHAVIOURAL SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and transfer skills/knowledge.
• Enjoys working outdoors in all weathers.
• Resilient
• Positive outlook with ‘can do’ attitude.
• Team player
  The ideal candidate will thrive in an ever-evolving environment, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability as we work in line with weather conditions and company needs.
  The hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm along with weekend watering through the growing season. Start date is ideally 1st February 2025.

• To grow medicinal plants to Demeter standard, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes sowing, transplanting, crop maintenance, irrigation, weeding and harvesting.
• To make tinctures and dry plants to Ph. Eur. and pharmacopeia standards, within the context of GMP and following SOP procedures.
• To operate tractors with implements for all-site mowing as well as field cultivations.
• To operate power tools including hedge cutters, strimmers, pole saws and handheld garden machinery.
• To maintain our 13-acre site meeting the needs of production, marketing and staff welfare, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes making compost, seed sorting, hedge cutting, pruning, coppicing and wood chipping over Winter.
• To apply and make biodynamic preparations and stirs
• To ensure that the garden environment and all equipment is kept safe and tidy. To comply with all Health and Safety.
• To assist the garden manager in the supervision of the seasonal gardeners and volunteers.
• To support marketing of the Weleda brand ie ensure a positive visitor experience of the gardens, ‘feed’ social media with photos and stories from the garden etc.
• To contribute to all staff events hosted by the garden team.