Main Purpose of the Job

The Horticultural Growing and Development Supervisor (GDS) is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operation of the institute's horticultural growing facilities and technical growing services. The role ensures the successful cultivation, maintenance, and delivery of high-quality plant material to support scientific research.

The role combines hands-on horticultural expertise with team supervision and operational planning to ensure research projects receive reliable, high-quality growing support.

Key Relationships

Working closely with scientists, technical teams, and service platform managers, the postholder will oversee horticultural operations, coordinate growing activities, supervise horticultural staff, and implement best practices in plant production, plant health, biosecurity, and facility management. 
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Growing Operations Supervision 
• Supervise daily horticultural operations across glasshouses, growth rooms, controlled environment facilities, and outdoor growing areas. 
• Ensure the timely production and delivery of healthy, high-quality plant material for research projects. 
• Coordinate growing schedules to meet experimental and scientific requirements. 
Monitor plant growth, crop health, and cultivation activities. 
• Oversee irrigation, nutrition, propagation, environmental control, and crop maintenance programmes. 
• Ensure the effective utilisation of growing space and resources. 

25

Research Support 
• Act as a key horticultural contact for research groups and scientific staff. 
• Work with scientists to understand plant project requirements and experimental timelines. 
• Implement and maintain cultivation protocols supporting research objectives. 
• Provide specialist horticultural advice on plant husbandry, propagation, crop management, and plant health. 
• Assist in developing new growing techniques and methodologies to support research activities. 

25

Team Supervision 
• Supervise horticultural technicians, growers, and support staff. 
• Allocate workloads and coordinate daily activities. 
• Provide training, mentoring, and technical guidance. 
• Monitor staff performance and support professional development. 
• Promote a positive, collaborative, and customer-focused working environment. 
• Support recruitment, induction, and onboarding of new staff where required. 

20

Plant Health, Quality and Biosecurity 
• Monitor and maintain high standards of plant health and quality. 
• Implement integrated pest and disease management programmes.
 • Ensure compliance with biosecurity procedures and plant health regulations.
 • Investigate and respond to plant health issues in a timely manner. 
• Maintain accurate plant records and production documentation. 

15

Facility and Equipment Oversight 
• Monitor the operational condition of growing facilities and equipment.
• Coordinate routine maintenance activities with engineering and facilities teams. 
• Report facility issues and support resolution activities. 
• Assist with the implementation of new growing technologies and environmental control systems.
• Ensure growing facilities remain safe, efficient, and fit for purpose. 

5

Health, Safety and Compliance 
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and institute policies. 
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure safe systems of work are followed. 
• Promote a strong health and safety culture within the growing team. 
• Support audits, inspections, and compliance reviews. 
• Maintain relevant operational procedures and records. 

5

Service Delivery 
• Support the delivery of agreed service levels to research programmes. 
• Monitor performance against service objectives and growing schedules. 
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives. 
• Maintain effective communication with customers and stakeholders regarding project progress and plant availability. 

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree, diploma, or equivalent qualification in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agriculture, or a related disciplin

Essential

PA1, PA6 Certificates in the Safe Use of Pesticides

Essential

BASIS Qualification in Agronomy (foundation)

Desirable

Supervisory or team leadership qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Significant practical experience in horticultural growing operations

Essential

Experience within glasshouse, controlled environment, nursery, or research growing facilities

Essential

Experience supervising staff and coordinating day-to-day activities

Essential

Strong knowledge of plant cultivation, propagation, irrigation, and plant health management

Essential

Ability to identify pests and diseases and recommend the correct chemical / biological control and necessary safety protocols, in accordance with statutory and local rules/regulations

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in Horticultural Services or have worked in another research environment for a reasonable length of time

Essential

Effective management skills in order to implement change and drive high standards of service delivery

Essential

Knowledge of local and statutory Health and Safety regulations (desirable on appointment, essential when in post)

Desirable

Knowledge of containment regulations Level 1/2 (desirable on appointment, essential when in post)

Desirable

Knowledge of regulations for the control and disposal of GMO material (desirable on appointment, essential when in post)

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively at all levels in the organisation

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Ability to carry out and train standard horticultural methods

Essential

Passion for supporting plant science research

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Horticultural Services

Living in Norfolk

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Horticulture Growing and Development Supervisor

Salary:            £30,600 - £37,400 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        Indefinite, full-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 5 October 2026
Reference:     1006205

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Horticulture Service Growing and Development Supervisor to join the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the Horticultural Services platform.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

The role:

The Horticultural Growing and Development Supervisor provides operational leadership within the Horticultural Service Platform, ensuring growing facilities, staff, and cultivation programmes deliver high-quality plant material and technical support for scientific research. The role is responsible for supervising daily horticultural activities, maintaining plant health and facility standards, and supporting the successful delivery of research projects.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in leadership development within a Horticultural service platform supporting plant scientists. You will also support world leading scientists who are experts in their field.

The ideal candidate:

You will have a degree, diploma, or equivalent qualification in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agriculture, or a related discipline.  You will have considerable experience in Horticultural Services or have worked in another research environment for a reasonable length of time and demonstrable experience in horticultural competencies in all areas of good plant growth and maintenance.

Additional information:

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.