Project Manager - soft Landscaping

Job Title: Project Manager - Soft Landscaping
Location: Polegate, East Sussex
Recruiter: Manpower (Recruiting on behalf of a valued client)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £40,000 - £60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:30 - 17:00 (47.5 hours per week)

About the Role
Manpower is proud to be recruiting on behalf of a well-established client based in Polegate for an experienced Project Manager - Soft Landscaping.

In this permanent, full-time position, you will take full operational responsibility for the safe, efficient, and commercially sound delivery of soft landscaping projects across the region. Leading an established field workforce-including non-working supervisors, team leaders, and operatives-you will act as the vital link between site operations, client expectations, and commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Scoping, RAMS & Site Control: Review project scopes, drawings, and specifications ahead of commencement. Author, review, and enforce site-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), ensuring strict compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Operational Resources & Mobilisation: Plan and coordinate plant, machinery, materials, and labour to ensure smooth site mobilisation. Forecast resource requirements across active projects to keep programmes on track.
• Assurance Audits & Site Performance: Conduct regular site inspections and quality assurance audits. Monitor operational KPIs, productivity, and horticultural standards to ensure right-first-time delivery.
• People Management & Administration: Line-manage non-working supervisors, team leaders, and operatives. Oversee daily attendance, timesheets, holiday approvals, performance reviews, training requirements, and HR/disciplinary matters.
• Stores, PPE & Resource Standards: Enforce high standards across company stores, vehicles, tools, and machinery. Ensure all field staff are issued with and consistently wear the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Completion, Defects & Rework: Oversee project handovers, sign-offs, and practical completion certificates. Manage, track, and resolve any snagging, defects, or rework promptly to maintain client satisfaction and protect margins.
• Change Control & Commercial Evidence: Identify contract variations early. Capture accurate contemporaneous records, site instructions, and commercial evidence to support variation claims.
• Incident Escalation & Operational Evidence: Act as the primary point of escalation for site incidents, near misses, and operational blockers, ensuring thorough investigation and reporting in line with company procedures.
• Customer, Public & Stakeholder Conduct: Represent the business professionally at all times. Maintain strong working relationships with clients, principal contractors, local authorities, and members of the public, ensuring teams uphold exemplary site conduct.

What You Will Need

• Proven Soft Landscaping Experience: A strong, demonstrable background managing soft landscaping projects (e.g., planting schemes, turfing, seeding, topsoil management, ecological planting, and aftercare).
• Leadership Experience: Proven track record managing multi-tiered operational teams, including supervisors, team leaders, and ground operatives.
• Health & Safety Knowledge: Solid understanding of UK health and safety legislation (CDM Regulations) and writing/implementing RAMS. Qualifications such as SMSTS, SSSTS, or IOSH Managing Safely are highly advantageous.
• Commercial Acumen: Experience managing budgets, variations, change control, and capturing commercial site evidence.
• Licences & Cards: Full UK Driving Licence (essential) and a valid CSCS Card (Supervisory or Management level preferred).

What's on Offer

• Competitive permanent salary of £40,000 - £60,000 per annum, based on experience.
• Consistent Monday to Friday working hours (07:30 - 17:00) with occasional weekends.
• Opportunity to lead and shape an experienced operational team for a reputable employer in East Sussex.
• Workplace pension, annual leave entitlement, and ongoing career development.

How to Apply
If you have proven soft landscaping management experience and are looking for your next permanent leadership opportunity in the Polegate area, apply today with your up-to-date CV. A dedicated consultant from Manpower will be in touch to discuss the role in further detail.
Manpower is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this permanent vacancy.

If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.