Soft Fruit Harvest Manager

Soft Fruit Harvest Manager

Full-Time 42000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage harvest operations for high-quality soft fruit production.
  • Company: Specialist farm dedicated to growing and supplying soft fruits.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation, pension scheme, healthcare, and progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of the business while leading a dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in harvest management and large-scale agricultural operations required.
  • Other info: Permanent, full-time role with seasonal peak demands.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Are you an experienced Harvest Manager who thrives on leading large seasonal teams and delivering high-quality soft fruit harvests under pressure? Do you have a strong background in harvest planning, labour management and crop quality across horticultural or soft fruit operations?

Location of the Job: Scotland.

Salary and Benefits Package: Paying up to £70,000 per year depending on experience. Accommodation. Company pension scheme. Healthcare. Company bonus. Company vehicle. Progression opportunities.

This is a permanent, full-time position with seasonal peak demands as and when required.

About The Company: A specialist farm growing and supplying soft fruits.

The Job Role Details: As Harvest Manager, you will have the responsibility of managing and delivering harvest operations across the farm. You will lead large teams of pickers and supervisors, coordinate labour and productivity, and work closely with the Irrigation Manager, Senior Leadership team and farm owners to ensure excellent crop quality, plant health and operational efficiency. This role is pivotal to the success of the company growth plans and offers the opportunity to make a real impact on the future of the business.

You will be responsible for:

  • Harvest Operations & Planning: Plan, coordinate and oversee all harvest operations. Ensure crops are harvested efficiently, safely and to quality standards. Monitor yields, productivity targets and harvest progress. Adapt plans in response to weather, crop condition and labour availability.
  • People Management & Leadership: Lead, motivate and support a large team of pickers and harvest supervisors. Recruit, induct, train and develop seasonal and permanent staff. Set clear performance expectations and monitor output. Foster a positive, respectful and team-focused working culture.
  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with the Irrigation Manager to support plant health and crop performance. Liaise with senior leadership on strategy, planning and operational priorities. Collaborate with agronomy, technical and compliance teams as required. Act as a key link between harvest teams and wider business operations.
  • Plant Health, Quality & Compliance: Monitor crop condition and quality throughout the harvest period. Identify and report issues impacting yield or plant health. Ensure harvesting practices support long-term crop performance. Maintain high standards of food safety, quality assurance and compliance.
  • Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Track and analyse harvest data including yields, labour efficiency and quality. Provide regular reports and updates to senior management. Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and performance. Contribute ideas that support efficiency, innovation and business growth.

Ideally you will have / be:

  • Experience in fruit or soft fruit production or horticulture.
  • Proven experience in harvest management or large-scale agricultural operations.
  • Experience leading and managing large teams.
  • Experience working with irrigation, agronomy or crop health teams.
  • Knowledge of food safety, quality assurance and labour compliance.
  • Ambitious, driven and results-focused.
  • Hands-on, practical and solutions-oriented.

How to apply: Please click on the APPLY NOW button.

As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, we do require that ALL applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2 or an equivalent qualification which is relevant and necessary for the job that you are applying for.

We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, please be advised that only those short listed for an interview will be contacted. Please be assured that your job application will be managed in complete confidence and your personal details will not be passed to any third party without your prior permission.

Soft Fruit Harvest Manager employer: Agricultural and Farming Jobs

As a leading specialist farm in Scotland, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and supportive work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including accommodation and healthcare, and clear pathways for career progression, we are committed to nurturing talent and ensuring our team members thrive in their roles. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the future of soft fruit production while working alongside passionate professionals in a vibrant agricultural environment.
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Contact Detail:

Agricultural and Farming Jobs Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Soft Fruit Harvest Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the agricultural sector, attend industry events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their values and challenges in soft fruit production. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience managing large teams and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate your ability to motivate and drive results.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Soft Fruit Harvest Manager

Harvest Planning
Labour Management
Crop Quality Management
Team Leadership
Performance Monitoring
Cross-Department Collaboration
Food Safety Compliance
Data Analysis
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Communication Skills
Agronomy Knowledge
Irrigation Management
Operational Efficiency

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience in harvest management and leading large teams. We want to see how you've successfully managed operations in the past, so don’t hold back on those details!

Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'crop quality' and 'labour management', to show us you’re the perfect fit for the role.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great candidate for the Harvest Manager position.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.

How to prepare for a job interview at Agricultural and Farming Jobs

✨Know Your Harvest Inside Out

Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of soft fruit harvesting techniques and crop management. Be ready to discuss specific methods you've used in past roles to ensure high-quality yields and how you adapt to changing conditions.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading large teams. Think about times when you motivated your team under pressure or resolved conflicts. This role is all about people management, so demonstrate your ability to foster a positive working culture.

✨Understand the Business Impact

Research the company’s growth plans and how the Harvest Manager role fits into their strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your contributions can directly impact their success, especially in terms of efficiency and quality assurance.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to harvest planning and labour management. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, especially how you would handle unexpected challenges like weather changes or labour shortages.

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