Harvesting Manager in York, Yorkshire

Job Title: Harvesting Manager Location: East Yorkshire Industry: Fresh Produce/ Food/ FMCG Salary: £40,000 per annum Contract: Full Time, Permanent About the Company and Role: Were working with a well-established business in the food and fresh produce industry, supplying high-quality products to major retailers across the UK. Theyre now looking for an experienced Harvesting Manager / Head of Harvesting to lead and develop the harvesting team, driving performance, quality, and efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and compliance. Harvesting Manager Key Responsibilities: Manage the daily harvesting process, ensuring product quality and productivity targets are consistently achieved. Plan and organise staffing across multiple growing areas, including daily manning plans and agency coordination. Train, mentor, and develop pickers, placers, and supervisors to achieve high standards of performance. Monitor crop progress and adjust staffing levels to align with yield forecasts. Ensure product presentation meets specification requirements including weight, size, stem length, and packaging standards. Attend daily operations meetings to align harvesting plans with production and sales requirements. Support supervisors and team leaders in maintaining strong communication, motivation, and teamwork. Review performance data and address any shortfalls in productivity or quality. Champion food safety, health & safety, and company compliance standards at all times. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, focusing on reducing waste and improving efficiency. Collaborate closely with senior management and other departments to resolve issues and support site-wide objectives. Participate in food safety and quality teams (HACCP, TACCP, VACCP). Essential Experience & Skills: Proven experience within a harvesting or fresh produce operation. Strong people management, coaching, and mentoring skills. Excellent organisational and communication abilities. Good IT and numerical skills. A proactive, hands-on leader who can motivate teams and deliver results. Advanced Food Hygiene qualification. Degree-level education or equivalent experience.