Irrigation Team Leader

Overview

Location: UK – Site-based (location disclosed at interview stage). Salary: £35,000 to £45,000 per annum, permanent full-time. 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.

Role

Irrigation Team Leader – Fresh Produce Production

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.

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 Industry (Key Words)

Irrigation Team Leader, Irrigation Supervisor, Irrigation Manager, Fresh Produce, Soft Fruit, Stone Fruit, Fertigation, Priva Systems, Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, Agriculture Jobs

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.