Head of Growing

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 through to

Main Duties:

• Quality of plants – Ensure that all purchased plants meet quality specification. Report any problems to the Head of Soft Fruit Growing immediately.
• Crop planning and forecasting – Be able to create crop plans in various growing situations, glasshouses, heated tunnels, and traditional tunnels. Be able to long term forecast for the commercial department. Be able to problem solve crop issues and have solutions to rectify
• Crop Maintenance & Husbandry – Together with the operations team plan and deliver crop costs against the annual husbandry tasks and labour requirements. Implement irrigation, fertigation and plant protection products as required throughout the season and maintain records to enable future analysis and improvements. Ensure that spraying is in compliance with current legislation and agreed guidelines. 
• Crop protection – Extensive knowledge of Biologicals and pests. Able to create yearly biological programs. Recommend spray programs that work together with biologicals. Environmental assessments of crop surroundings
• Recording and reporting – Report monthly against budget on all inputs. Maintain all records as required. Able to lead and participate in any audits.
• People Management - Lead the Herefordshire growing teams and support, inform and direct the teams by highlighting business priorities and customer requirements.
• Continuous Improvements - Maintain a culture of continuous improvements across the Herefordshire Farms. Evaluate all processes continuously and identify opportunities for improvements with the team through an engaging style of management.  Strive to continuously increase value to the customers, the company and employees by enhancing OTIF (On Time In Full) performance.
• Policies & Rules & Procedures - Ensure self-compliance to all Company and Statutory Rules, Policies and Procedures and enforce on personnel within under your responsibility.

About You:

• Operational & Commercial Focus – Practical and decisive. Understands how an effective and efficiently run growing operation can contribute to stronger overall business profitability. Has a comprehensive understanding of modern protected soft fruit growing techniques
• Management - Managing a number of closely located production areas of soft fruit will require a grower with attention to detail and dedication. Plans and organises meticulously to ensure successful outcomes in terms of adherence to quality, cost and timeframe
• 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