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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead day-to-day farming operations and integrate with a premium distillery.
- Company: Historic Grahamslaw Farm, part of an ambitious whisky supply chain.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation, and a chance to shape sustainable farming practices.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a unique field-to-bottle whisky production journey.
- Qualifications: Experience in farm management and strong knowledge of arable systems.
- Other info: Opportunity for hands-on leadership and career growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Grahamslaw Farm is a historic and progressive 670 acre farm at the heart of a 1,500 acre estate near Kelso in the Scottish Borders, comprising arable, grassland, hill farming and high quality sporting enterprises. The farm plays a central role in an exciting and ambitious distilling venture, with on-farm grain drying, storage and malting facilities enabling true field to bottle production from barley grown at Grahamslaw Farm. This is a rare opportunity to lead a farming business that is fully integrated into a premium single malt whisky supply chain, where the quality, character and provenance of the barley genuinely matter and where farming decisions directly shape the character of the whisky and the wider estate. Our long term ambition is to build a world class distillery and farming operation, embedding soil health, circularity and environmental responsibility into every aspect of the business.
The Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and working Farm Manager to lead the day to day farming operation and integrate it closely with the wider distillery and estate. The successful candidate will be responsible for operational delivery across arable, grassland and livestock, while also contributing to long term planning, sustainability objectives and continuous improvement. This role combines practical leadership with stewardship: from producing exceptional distilling barley, to building a high quality livestock enterprise within a closed loop system, to caring for the estate’s land, woodland and infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Overall management of the arable and grassland enterprises
- Full responsibility for arable operations including cultivations, drilling, spraying, fertiliser applications and harvesting
- Crop planning and delivery to meet distillery quality and specification requirements
- Leadership of varietal selection, crop trials and continuous improvement in yield, quality and consistency
- Stewardship of grain drying, storage and on-farm logistics, including quality control and traceability
- Development and management of a small, high quality livestock enterprise as part of a self-sufficient, circular system (including use of distillery draff for feed, returning manure to fields, and supplying beef for the estate and guests)
- Oversight, care and maintenance of a modern fleet of farm machinery and equipment, ensuring reliability, safety and value retention
- Oversight of buildings, yards and general farm infrastructure
- Responsibility for ongoing farm maintenance and improvement, including fencing, woodland management and estate enhancements
- Health & safety leadership and compliance
- Record keeping, budgeting and regulatory compliance
- Working closely with the distillery and estate teams to align farming output with production plans and future development
- Driving the development of sustainable, low carbon and regenerative farming practices, including soil health, input optimisation and circular resource use
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in farm management or a senior arable role
- Strong technical knowledge of arable systems, livestock basics and modern farm machinery
- Organised, proactive and commercially aware
- Comfortable working within a wider, integrated estate and distillery business
- Genuine interest in crop quality, provenance, sustainability and continuous improvement
- A long term, stewardship mindset with pride in building something exceptional over time
- Practical, hands on leadership style with high standards for maintenance and presentation
- Full UK driving licence (essential)
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience
- A rare opportunity to lead a farm that sits at the heart of a premium whisky business
- The chance to build a distinctive, high quality livestock enterprise within a field-to-bottle-to-plate vision
- Involvement in a long term, sustainability led estate and distillery strategy
- Supportive working environment with real scope to shape the role and the future of the business
- Accommodation available
How to Apply
Please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role to: Charlotte Dun
Closing date: Monday 16th March 2026
You can also apply for this role by clicking the Apply Button.
Working Farm Manager – Arable, Livestock & Distillery Supply in Kelso employer: FarmWell
Contact Detail:
FarmWell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Working Farm Manager – Arable, Livestock & Distillery Supply in Kelso
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the farm and distillery before your interview. Research their practices, values, and sustainability goals. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with people in the industry! Attend local farming events or distillery tours. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a recommendation when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments. Since this role involves hands-on leadership, be ready to demonstrate your skills in arable operations and livestock management during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for sustainability and innovation. Discuss how you can implement low carbon practices and improve soil health. This aligns perfectly with the farm's long-term ambitions and will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Working Farm Manager – Arable, Livestock & Distillery Supply in Kelso
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight your relevant experience in farm management, arable systems, and livestock basics. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for Grahamslaw Farm.
Personalise Your Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Take the time to express why you’re excited about this role and how your background fits into our ambitious distilling venture. Show us your passion for sustainability and quality!
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your experience, be specific about your achievements in crop planning, livestock management, and operational delivery. We love numbers and results, so if you’ve improved yields or efficiencies, shout about it!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Grahamslaw Farm!
How to prepare for a job interview at FarmWell
✨Know Your Farm Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of arable systems, livestock basics, and modern farm machinery. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your technical expertise and how it aligns with the role at Grahamslaw Farm.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
This role is all about integrating sustainable practices into farming. Prepare to share your thoughts on soil health, circular resource use, and any innovative ideas you have for low carbon farming. This will show that you’re not just a manager, but a steward of the land.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Think of examples where you've led teams or projects in a farming context. Highlight your hands-on leadership style and how you maintain high standards for maintenance and presentation. This will help the interviewers see you as a proactive leader who can drive continuous improvement.
✨Align with the Distillery Vision
Understand the connection between farming and distilling at Grahamslaw Farm. Be prepared to discuss how your farming decisions can impact the quality and character of the whisky. Showing that you grasp this relationship will set you apart as a candidate who truly gets the bigger picture.
