Senior Horticultural Assurance Scheme Executive

Are you ready to take a pivotal role in the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and drive the development and management of the Ornamental Horticultural Assurance Scheme (OHAS).  We are currently seeking a Senior Horticultural Assurance Scheme Executive to join the HTA.

OHAS is a certification scheme run by the HTA. It is a long-standing, dedicated scheme with the objective of raising standards in ornamental horticulture in the UK and overseas. The scheme is business rather than product focused, and certificates growers, packers, and growing media manufacturers to compliance criteria managed by a third-party certification body.  The scheme is a central part of the HTA’s benefits of membership for our grower and other types of member businesses.

This role will be instrumental in ensuring that OHAS becomes the leading means of quality assurance in the UK ornamental horticulture supply, aligning with and supporting the HTA’s value proposition for membership.

The successful applicant will be responsible for developing and maintaining a product roadmap for OHAS as well as the day-to-day management of the scheme.  The role will act as the main technical contact for OHAS members and will collaborate and engage with various internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness, knowledge and uptake of OHAS including representing and promoting the scheme at industry events.

We're seeking a dynamic individual who not only possesses a solid grasp of assurance schemes and certification processes, but also brings with them a track record of effectively managing such schemes or conducting assessments. If you have experience in the horticulture industry or related fields like agriculture, forestry, or amenities then this opportunity is tailor-made for you.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have an eye for detail and accuracy and good organisational, administrative and communication skills.  They will be comfortable engaging with and building positive relationships with colleagues across the HTA, members and external stakeholders.

This role is an office-based role, we operate a hybrid working office, with a minimum of 2 days a week in the office based in Chilton, Oxfordshire.   This role does also require some travel within the UK for meeting and events, which may involve overnight stays.  A full UK driving licence is therefore required.

What we offer in return

• 28 days holiday plus two additional days off as a ‘garden day’ and ‘gift day’.
• Pension auto enrolment 4% employee - 5% employer pension contribution (the HTA will enhance its pension offer by matching additional pension contributions made by you up to a maximum of 10%).
• Life assurance.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Cycle 2 Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Free fruit, tea, coffee, and biscuits provided in the office.
• Flexitime.

About HTA

The HTA have 1400 members which include garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. As one of the largest membership organisations the HTA have run the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962, this provides consumers with a UK wide scheme encouraging both new and existing gardeners to visit garden centres and retail nurseries. 

The HTA lobby and campaign on behalf of our members within the horticulture industry and provide a whole range of member services including, business solutions, events, market information and learning & development.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HTA campaigned to ensure garden centres were classed as essential retail which has increased the profile of the horticultural industry. 

How to apply

You can view the full job description at the bottom of this page. To apply for the role, please send your covering letter and CV to [email protected].  

Our aim is to recruit and retain people with the behaviours that support our mission and who will grow with us and the industry. We are open and honest in recognising that there is more that the Association can do to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings and therefore welcome applicants from all underrepresented communities within Horticulture, including all ethnic or religious backgrounds, LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities. 

This advert is only open to direct applicants, NO AGENCIES should apply. All applicants must have valid references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.