This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Forestry Manager to join the team at Roxburghe Estates. The Forestry Manager is responsible for managing Roxburghe Estates’ 1,500 hectare portfolio of woodland and running the Estates biomass and fencing materials business. As well as sustainably managing the existing woodland portfolio, the Forestry Manager will be encouraged to identify new potential opportunities to grow the business, such as carbon and natural capital initiatives.

Roxburghe Estates has been part of the Scottish Borders since 1358. We are committed to protecting and enhancing the natural, cultural, and economic environment of the region. We are a forward thinking innovative rural business comprising of Farming, Property, Forestry, Renewables, Sporting and Tourism enterprises.

The Role

The successful candidate will be required to lead and manage all aspects of the forestry operation, including planning forestry operations, marketing timber, preparing and managing budgets, making grant scheme applications and identifying woodland creation opportunities.  The role includes, but is not limited to,:

• Management and planning of Woodlands, including commercial forestry blocks, lowland shelterbelt and amenity woodland and policy woodland around Floors Castle. Many of the woodlands are multi-purpose and are important to farming, shooting and amenity activities.  There are frequent discussions with farm manager/tenants, shooting tenants and Estate gamekeepers regarding the management of the woodlands and proposed forestry operations.
• Planting and restocking, from identifying areas of the Estate that may be suited to woodland creation through to planting and monitoring the health of the young plantations to produce a healthy crop of trees.
• Harvesting, from identifying timber to harvest, dealing with timber contractors, managing the harvesting operations, liaising with local timber markets then liaising with account department to raise invoices.
• Manage 2 sawmill staff ensuring a productive and safe working environment, manage internal and external chipping operations, market woodchip, firewood and fencing materials.
• Carry out roadside tree risk assessments and manage as required.
• Manage woodlands and parkland trees within the policy parks, including those in areas accessed by the public.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be expected to have:

• a minimum of 5 years forestry management experience
• experience of working with contractors and managing a small team
• experience in dealing direct with stakeholders and statutory bodies
• a flexible approach to work and be self motivated
• the ability to prioritise and organise work programmes
• a working knowledge of IT with experience of Office 365
• Professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters or another relevant professional body is desirable.

What you can expect

• Salary offered commensurate with candidate’s experience, salary range £50,000 – £60,000
• An Estate vehicle for business use
• Estate accommodation
• Pension, Life Insurance
• Mobile phone, laptop and any other equipment and PPE
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation expenses for the right candidate
• Transitional support from retiring manager.

For a copy of the full job description please contact hr@floorscastle.com

Application should include a CV and covering letter, to be sent by email to hr@floorscastle.com for the attention of Ed Brown.