Head of Growing - Herefordshire
Salary: up to £65,000 P/A
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Working hours: Variable depending on demand of work – 40 hours per week
We are seeking an experienced Head of Growing to join a large independent soft fruit growing company.
The Role:
Responsible for the growing team, growing top quality high yielding strawberry and blueberry crops that meet the requirements of retail supermarket customers. To ensure crop husbandry, production targets & timings are adhered to in all areas. Managing, developing and monitoring the growing teams performance in order to optimise the cycle of plant delivery.
Main Duties:
1. Quality of plants: Ensure that all purchased plants meet quality specification. Report any problems to the Head of Soft Fruit Growing immediately.
2. Crop planning and forecasting: Create crop plans in various growing situations (glasshouses, heated tunnels, and traditional tunnels). Long term forecasting for the commercial department. Problem solve crop issues and provide solutions.
3. Crop Maintenance & Husbandry: Plan and deliver crop costs against annual husbandry tasks and labour requirements with the operations team. Implement irrigation, fertigation and plant protection products as required throughout the season and maintain records for future analysis and improvements. Ensure compliance with current legislation and agreed guidelines for spraying.
4. Crop protection: Extensive knowledge of Biologicals and pests. Create yearly biological programs and recommend spray programs that work with biologicals. Conduct environmental assessments of crop surroundings.
5. Recording and reporting: Report monthly against budget on all inputs. Maintain all records as required. Lead and participate in any audits.
6. People Management: Lead the Herefordshire growing teams and support, inform, and direct the teams by highlighting business priorities and customer requirements.
7. Continuous Improvements: Maintain a culture of continuous improvements across the Herefordshire Farms. Continuously evaluate processes and identify opportunities for improvements with the team through engaging management. Strive to increase value to customers, the company, and employees by enhancing OTIF (On Time In Full) performance.
8. Policies & Procedures: Ensure compliance with all Company and Statutory Rules, Policies, and Procedures and enforce them on personnel under your responsibility.
About You:
1. Operational & Commercial Focus: Practical and decisive. Understands how an effective and efficiently run growing operation can contribute to stronger overall business profitability. Comprehensive understanding of modern protected soft fruit growing techniques.
2. Management: Attention to detail and dedication required to manage closely located production areas of soft fruit. Plans and organises meticulously to ensure successful outcomes in terms of quality, cost, and timeframe adherence.
3. People Management: An enthusiastic and experienced hands-on grower who is a strong communicator both within and outside the Growing team. Able to develop productive working relationships with colleagues in other parts of the business and has excellent team building skills.
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