Head Gardener

The Head Gardener is responsible for planning the maintenance of the estate grounds, which are centred around on-site accommodation, Easter Elchies House & Ghillies House, as well as The Distillery, Warehousing and office buildings which comprise of grass areas surrounding the houses, wildflower meadows, herbaceous/ever green borders and young and mature trees/woodland.The estate extends to 485 acres comprised of the distillery/guest operations buildings, warehousing, woodlands, farmland and the River Spey. Knowledge of Habitat, wildlife and woodland management are essential for the role. As part of the estate management, an external horticultural contractor is employed to look after basic maintenance operations including large areas of grass cutting, spraying and woodland management, as part of the role the successful candidate will be expected manage this contractor during the day-to-day operations ensuring all maintenance tasks are carried out as agreed. Sustainability, biodiversity and habitat management are central to the Macallan strategy, with this in mind we have developed a 5 year "ecosystem restoration plan" ERP which will help us reach our biodiversity targets for the estate.Make an Impact Reporting to the Estate Manager, the role involves:

• Managing ERP for biodiversity targets and delivering a ten-year woodland plan.
• Leading, developing, and overseeing the gardening team, including training and supervising apprentices.
• Planning and implementing garden and landscape improvements, aligning with the Estate strategy and sustainability goals.
• Monitoring horticultural maintenance contractors and managing annual and project budgets.
• Maintaining high standards of garden upkeep, including irrigation, pruning, and landscape improvements.
• Collaborating with the Head Chef on kitchen garden plans and developing a native plant nursery and foraging program.
• Conducting risk and CoSHH assessments and coordinating with contractors and internal stakeholders.
  
  To be successful in this role, you have a high level of plant and horticultural knowledge along with a recognised horticultural qualification at HND level or above. Habitat and wildlife management qualification or experience would be advantageous. A recognised ecological qualification would be desirable. Ideally you are an experienced people manager. Experience of landscape design, use of design software and stonemasonry would be advantageous. Extensive plant identity knowledge. A high level of PC literacy covering key business systems (AutoCAD, Office 365 suite of software. Teams, SAP, AutoCAD, and reporting systems). Strong planning and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail. Experience of carrying out risk assessments including suitable qualifications i.e. IOSH Managing Safely. Exceptional knowledge of the environmental regulations. Good problem-solving skills and ability to take an innovative approach when appropriate. You are skilled in
the use of appropriate power tools, lawn mowers, hedge cutting, chainsaws and strimmer's. A full clean driving licence is also required to travel across site.

Our vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. The Macallan is our leading brand, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category and Naked Malt in the blended malt category. Our portfolio is completed with Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic, The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, and Wyoming Whiskey in the American Whiskey category. Edrington also has a strategic partnership with No.3 London Dry Gin. Our principal shareholder is a charitable trust, so we were built to make a world of difference. Discover a place where values define our culture. The home of exceptional brands, where people and teams thrive.


• Salary £32,000 to £36,600
• 37 days holiday, plus 4 Giving More volunteer days
• Save for retirement and invest in your future - pension contributions (employee up to 8.75%, employer up to 14%)
• Share in our success with up to 10% Share Reward scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Private medical insurance that covers the cost of private healthcare and includes round the clock access to GP services and menopause health line
• 24/7 support for you and your loved ones to counselling, life coaching and information on financial, mental, and physical wellbeing
• Experience our exceptional brands with a generous annual product allowance, plus at least 20% discount in our staff shop
• Embrace work-life harmony with 26 weeks' paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and up to five paid carers leave days a year