Irrigation Team Leader

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced irrigation professional with a strong technical background and a passion for delivering high-performing crops through precise water and nutrient management? Do you enjoy working hands-on with modern irrigation systems while developing your leadership skills and taking on greater responsibility? Are you looking for a genuine opportunity to step up into a management role within a progressive fresh produce business?

Location of the Job: UK - Site-based (location disclosed at interview stage)

Salary & Benefits Package:

• £35,000 to £45,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Permanent, full-time position
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays, plus additional leave from Christmas to New Year
• Accommodation available or relocation package offered (subject to eligibility)
• Seasonal peak hours during the growing season; overtime and weekend work required
• Training and professional development supported

About the Company:

Our client is a well-established and forward-thinking fresh produce business producing high-quality fruit crops for major UK retailers. The business places a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and the efficient use of water and inputs, supported by continued investment in modern irrigation technology and infrastructure.

The Job Role Details:

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management, operation, and optimisation of all irrigation and fertigation systems across the farming operation. Working closely with the Farm Manager and wider management team, you will ensure crops receive precise and timely water and nutrient applications while developing your capability as a people manager and operational leader. This role is suited to an experienced irrigation team leader or an irrigation technician, senior operative, or supervisor who is ready to step up into a first-line management position, combining hands-on technical delivery with increasing responsibility for team leadership, planning, and decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage automated and manual irrigation systems including drip systems and sprinklers to meet crop-specific hydration requirements
• Implement and monitor fertigation programmes including managing Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH levels
• Carry out regular inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs of pumps, valves, filters, lines, and control systems
• Conduct daily crop walks and soil moisture assessments, adjusting irrigation schedules based on crop growth stage and climatic conditions
• Lead, train, and supervise irrigation technicians and general farm workers, producing work plans and schedules and ensuring procedures are followed
• Maintain accurate records of irrigation activities, water usage, fertigation inputs, and maintenance logs
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and biosecurity requirements, maintaining audit-ready documentation
• Take ownership of new irrigation projects and work with the wider management team to drive improvements in productivity, crop quality, and sustainability

Ideal Candidate Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience working with irrigation systems, ideally within soft and/or stone fruit production
• Experience using Priva irrigation systems
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Strong communication and leadership skills, including working with multilingual teams
• Motivated to develop management and people leadership capability
• Passionate about agriculture, innovation, and operational excellence
• Flexible to work weekends and extended hours during peak growing periods
• Positive, proactive, eager to learn, with a clear desire to progress
• Competent using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Desirable:

• PA1, PA2a, PA3a, PA6 certificates
• Experience using Muddy Boots Farm Management Software

Working Hours:

Full-time, with extended hours required during peak periods of the growing season.

How to Apply:

Please click on the "apply now" button. As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, all applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role.

We thank all applicants who apply for this role; however, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. All applications will be handled in strict confidence and personal details will not be shared without prior consent.

About Us:

Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide expert recruitment, headhunting, and job advertising services across agriculture, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education sectors across the UK and internationally.