Growing Manager/Harvest Manager
Technique Recruitment Solutions are a specialist Engineering & Manufacturing recruitment company based in Norwich working with one of Europes largest suppliers of fresh produce
Job Summary/Purpose:
To achieve the agreed financial and production targets for the fruit enterprises for which you are responsible for, and other objectives as may be agreed. Responsibility for the life of all our fruit crops.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Health and Safety
Develop and actively promote a positive Health & Safety Culture.
Identify any safety improvements within the department and escalate if necessary
Adhere to all health and safety requirements at all times
Food Safety:
Adhere to and ensure all staff adhere to Business Food Safety Standards at all times
Escalate any potential Food Safety issues immediately
Growing
Active involvement in growing all fruit crops in collaboration with Production Manager
Involvement and responsibility in any propagation of plants carried out
Crop Inspection
Crop inspection for pests and diseases. Crop walks with Berry Gardens and consultant agronomists.
Planning and direction of applications for necessary predators and beneficial insects.
Taking and sending samples of growing media, plants, leaves, flowers, water, pests and anything else required for the health of the crops by the Production Manager, Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager
To be responsible for placing and regularly checking and monitoring traps for pests and diseases within the fruit crops agreed with the Production Manager
Management
Overseeing the husbandry work within the Farm, including setting tasks and piecework rates for husbandry teams with the agreement of the Production and Farm Managers
Working on forwarding plans with the Production and Farm Managers to see future growth and labour required
Managing the environmental control in any permanent structures where production is grown with the help of the Production Manager, Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager
Projects
To be involved and have input on new projects for the Farm, e.g. heated/protected cropping and season extension
To be involved in, and in many cases leading, on growing related trial work, i.e. variety trials, new growing methods, new husbandry methods and labour-saving ideas
To be involved in, and in many cases, leading on growing related trial work on alternative crops
To interact with Berry Gardens and plant raisers regarding plant timings for planting, new plant quality and volumes
Strategy
Develop and implement strategies with the agreement of the Production Manager. Then, continually review and adjust the strategies in line with internal and external changes
Have a proactive approach to new business and product development, including trial work, visiting research stations, networking with other growers and industry stakeholders and keeping updated with press information
Continuous Improvement
Identify possible business developments and keep informed of any new developments and modern production techniques
Site Communications & Engagement
Engage & build good working relationships with employees on-site, including other departmental managers
Other
Any other Farm and Fresh related tasks as requested by Production Manager, Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager