Location: Northumberland and County Durham

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious manager in an interesting and diverse part of our portfolio. As a growing organisation, there is significant opportunity for development and promotion within the company.

Principal Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be required to take an active lead on the management of an interesting portfolio of client properties, ranging from upland forests to lowland mixed woodland of mixed age classes. To succeed in the role, competency is required across multiple disciplines ranging from silvicultural, planning, organisational and communication. To aid with effective delivery, we support flexible working from home and our Carlisle office. The role can be divided into the following primary functions, but is not limited to:

• Responsibility for the identification, assessment, quantification, and implementation of the full range of forest management operations
• Oversee the successful delivery of operational programmes to meet client objectives, compliant with health and safety, regulatory and environmental legislation
• Communicate directly with clients in a professional and confident manner, verbally and in written forms
• Effective in the coordination of the full range of establishment and maintenance of young conifer, mixed and broadleaved crops on restock or new planting sites, across upland and lowland settings
• Attentive in preparation of accurate budgets, annual reports, and financial forecasts
• Experience in compiling UKWAS management plans & long-term production forecasts
• Programming of thinning and felling and undertake timber assessment, marking and mensuration where appropriate
• Actively monitor and measure compliance in the execution of timber sale contracts
• Evaluate and tender for occasional contracts and execute successful opportunities
• Participate in the development of new business opportunities within the region.

Training and support will be provided to introduce the successful applicant to company systems and procedures. Further training is provided to allow the candidate to develop their role and specialisms within the business over time.

Qualifications & experience

The ideal candidate would be expected to have the following:

• Proven experience in forest management, where directly involved in the day-to-day management of forest properties
• Experience in dealing directly with woodland owners, statutory bodies or stakeholders
• Demonstrate relevant academic learning through a diploma, degree or masters in forestry, or other land- or science-based degree
• Have attained, or be working towards, their professional ICF accreditation.

Specific experience applicable to this role includes:

• Knowledge of the regulatory systems underpinned by the Forestry Act (1967) and Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (both as amended)
• A strong degree of commercial acumen, and balanced understanding of upland and lowland silviculture, and the full range of operations from new planting and restocking through to clearfelling
• Knowledge of the requirements of UKFS and UKWAS; the latter being especially relevant to the proposed portfolio
• Knowledge of lowland and mixed conifer / broadleaved silviculture and the management of PAWS woodlands would be desirable
• An understanding of the grant opportunities in England and Scotland would be an advantage

Personal skills especially suited to the role include:

• Diligent and professional in your approach to work
• Motivated to deliver a high-quality service to clients
• Work constructively with an experienced and dedicated team, but also be confident in working on your own.
• Ability to mentor staff with lesser experience (the role is supported by a forester)
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in written word
• Proven business acumen, and a desire to develop and grow the portfolio over time.
• Proficiency with IT systems, with experience of Office 365 suite and GIS
• Clean, Full UK Drivers Licence.

Location & Geographic Area of Operation

The position of Forest Manager will be based from our Carlisle office, covering Northumberland/Country Durham. Hybrid working from the office and home is available.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary from £32,000 – £44,000+ per annum. Salary dependent upon experience and negotiable
• A suitable vehicle is provided for business and personal use.  Benefit in kind income tax for the vehicle and payment for fuel for private use of the vehicle applies
• The company operates a stakeholder pension scheme
• Annual leave of 25+ days plus bank holidays. Entitlement rises with length of service
• The company provides up to six days for Continuous Professional Development
• Mobile phone, laptop and other necessary tools, equipment & PPE are provided
• The post is full time (i.e. minimum 40 hours per week, with some time additionally required to cover travelling to distant sites/ offices)
• Relocation expenses will be considered for the right candidate
• Employee Welfare Plan
• Cycle to work Scheme.

Applications in writing along with CV and sent to recruitment@silviculture.co.uk

Closing Date: 3 May 2024         In-person interviews from: 6 May 2024

If you have specific questions about the role, then please contact penny@silviculture.co.uk

Pryor & Rickett is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The company is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, gender, race, religion or belief, disability, marriage and civil partnership, paternity and maternity, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.