Tree Seed Tester

Tree Seed Tester 

 

Salary

£26,000 per year

 

Hours

Full time

Part time (4 days per week) may be considered

 

Location

Hadnall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

 

Company

Forestart Ltd

 

Job type

Permanent

 

SUMMARY

A unique opportunity has arisen to join the seed laboratory team as a Tree Seed Tester at our tree and shrub seed company in Shropshire.

 

About us

As the leading UK supplier of tree and shrub seed, Forestart provides tested seed to forestry and amenity growers across the UK, Europe and the world. We supply the seed to grow the trees of tomorrow, specialising in collecting native species from local seed sources and breaking inherent seed dormancy.

 

About the role

All seed processed by Forestart, whether collected by our in-house team or imported, passes through our purpose-built seed laboratory facility. The role of Tree Seed Tester is fundamental for quality control in providing high quality seed to our customers backed up by statistics for planting. We pride ourselves in striving to facilitate research and development in the forestry sector. As Tree Seed Tester you will also work with other members of the team to record results of seed trials and innovation.

 

Responsibilities include:

  • Take a leading role for the daily running of our seed testing laboratory
  • Maintain accurate organised testing in the laboratory; putting seed on test, evaluating and recording results and updating records on our in-house computer system
  • Adhere to company and official procedures for all seed testing including purity, moisture, seed count, viability and germination tests
  • Ensure that tests are completed in a timely manner to provide our customers with the data that they require when the seed is dispatched
  • Effectively evaluate test results to determine whether retesting is required, processing any retest requests appropriately
  • Maintain a clean, tidy, professional environment in the seed laboratory whilst following all health and safety procedures
  • Prepare test boxes as appropriate ready for tests, and take apart and clean after testing is complete
  • Liaise with other members of the Forestart team to obtain appropriate seed samples and analyse test results
  • Work alongside other staff in the laboratory, sometimes supervising staff brought in from other roles to assist you during busy periods
  • Report to the general manager
  • Embrace training and support from existing staff to ensure you gain all the skills and knowledge required to develop expertise and excel in the role

 

About you

  • You are an enthusiastic and reliable individual, motivated to develop your skills
  • You are organised and able to work on your own initiative, managing your own time effectively
  • You have a flexible and positive attitude, in alignment with our work culture
  • You have excellent numeracy skills and are confident using computer systems for data entry
  • You have meticulous attention detail with a methodical approach and a drive to achieve quality throughout the whole production process
  • You are comfortable completing repetitive tasks such as counting seed on and off test
  • You can follow instructions and react appropriately to hazards in the workplace
  • You can communicate effectively with your colleagues in the workplace to be a team player
  • You will ideally have an understanding of seed biology and an interest in how plants grow

 

What we offer

  • Holidays – 25 days + bank holidays
  • Company sick pay*
  • Full time regular hours of work (Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm with half hour lunch break plus two paid breaks)
  • Part time hours may be considered (4 days per week)
  • Training and development
  • CPD encouraged including involvement in industry visit days
  • On-site parking
  • Commutable from: Shrewsbury, Telford, Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Welshpool

 

Where you’ll be based

Our newly upgraded seed laboratory is at the main Forestart site on the edge of Hadnall, near Shrewsbury. The site is a purpose-built industrial unit where our seed collection teams bring the seed to be processed, stored and dispatched. Our office team are also based at this site and this location is the hub of our work. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside and close to the historic town of Shrewsbury, whilst being located centrally within the UK with good transport links for our staff and business needs.

 

How to apply

Please send a CV and covering letter to emma@forestart.co.uk

 

Informal discussions about the role are welcomed. Please contact Helen Richardson on 01939 210638.

 

Closing date

Friday 31st January 2025

 

 

 

 

In line with the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. As part of the recruitment process, you will be asked to provide documented evidence of eligibility. Forestart Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.

 

*Subject to specified limits