Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to harvest fresh crops outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Company: J.E. Piccaver & Co, a leading agricultural company.
- Benefits: Earn more with piece work rates and enjoy full training.
- Other info: Team-based environment with opportunities for bonuses and growth.
- Why this job: Get fit, earn money, and work outdoors while making a difference.
- Qualifications: Must be physically fit and able to work long shifts.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate right to work in the UK. (We do not sponsor or issue work visas)
6-month Contract from 05/2026 - 11/2026
Important Note: Physical Demands of the Job
This role is physically demanding. Candidates must be able to meet minimum target requirements and work in any weather conditions for shifts lasting 8-12 hours. Being physically fit and prepared for sustained hard work is essential.
Harvest Operatives
Operatives will be harvesting outdoors in all weather conditions including rain, wind, and varying temperatures. Full training will be provided. Crops to harvest at J.E. Piccaver & Co include Whole Head & Mechanical Harvest Lettuces, Salad Onion, Baby Leaf spinach, and Spring Greens. Most of the work in harvesting is paid on piece work rates, based on the team's output. While maintaining quality, the more product you harvest, the more money you can earn.
Team Arrangement (up to 16 people per team)
- Cutters: Harvesting various types of lettuce and salad onions. Lettuces: 11 heads/min (good quality cut and packed in a box). Salad Onions: 150kg/person/h.
- Box Stackers: Replacing empty boxes with full ones (up to 15kg), stacking, and strapping on pallets.
- Team Leaders: Daily supervision of the harvest team. Responsibilities include paperwork, quality, and team performance. Communication with harvest managers is crucial. Compensation includes piece work rate plus a bonus for added responsibilities. Full training provided.
- Tractor Drivers: Required to work as part of the harvest team, including harvesting, box stacking, and other operations. Operating New Holland T6, 145 tractors with 12 meters’ length, 3 meters’ width, and up to 10t weight on loaded trailers. Additional operations include washing/greasing tractors/trailers, moving machinery, etc. Valid driving license and any other relevant certificates are mandatory.
- Minibus Drivers: Transporting people to and from work, shops, or other places of interest. Operating an 8 or 9 seat minibus. Valid driving license with minimum category B and 2 years of driving experience required for insurance purposes.
- Machine Operators:
- Lettuce Wrapping Machine Operatives: Using modern flow wrapping machines for packing lettuce whole heads in plastic film. Performance-related bonus for continuous positive performance.
- Mechanical Harvest Machine Operators: Operating modern machines for mechanical harvest of salad onions, baby leaf, and lettuces. Performance-related bonus for continuous positive performance.
- Packhouse Operatives:
- Trimming/Washing Onions: Operating engineered machines for trimming and washing salad onions.
- De-banding and Banding Salad Onions: Operations for de-banding and banding salad onions.
- Packing, Re-trimming, Re-packing lettuce crops: Operations for packing, re-trimming, and re-packing lettuce crops.
- Operating cardboard box making machines: Operating cardboard box making machines.
Remote Assignment: For around four weeks starting in mid-October, we will be harvesting on rented land in Suffolk, located approximately 2.5 hours away from the main farm. You will be accommodated near this location during this period.
Harvest operatives - Manual Labour in South Holland employer: JE Piccaver & CO
Contact Detail:
JE Piccaver & CO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Harvest operatives - Manual Labour in South Holland
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! If you want to land a role as a Harvest Operative, show us you're ready for the physical demands. Hit the gym or do some outdoor activities to build your stamina and strength. We want to see that you can handle those long shifts in any weather!
✨Tip Number 2
Teamwork makes the dream work! Since you'll be working in teams of up to 16, brush up on your communication skills. Show us you can collaborate effectively and keep the morale high while harvesting. A positive attitude goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to hustle! The more you harvest, the more you earn. Familiarise yourself with the targets for lettuces and salad onions so you know what to aim for. We love candidates who are motivated by performance-related pay!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to get noticed. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience or skills, especially if you've worked outdoors or in manual labour before. We’re excited to see your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Harvest operatives - Manual Labour in South Holland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Right to Work: Make sure you clearly demonstrate your right to work in the UK in your application. We can't sponsor or issue work visas, so it's crucial that this is upfront and clear.
Be Honest About Your Fitness: Since this role is physically demanding, be honest about your fitness levels. Let us know if you're ready for hard work in all weather conditions – we want to see that you're up for the challenge!
Highlight Teamwork Skills: As you'll be working in teams of up to 16 people, emphasise any teamwork experience you have. We love candidates who can communicate well and contribute positively to a team environment.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get you started on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at JE Piccaver & CO
✨Know the Job Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand the physical demands of the Harvest Operative role. Familiarise yourself with the types of crops you'll be working with and the specific targets for harvesting. This shows you're serious about the job and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Off Your Physical Fitness
Since this role is physically demanding, be prepared to discuss your fitness levels. You might want to mention any relevant experience in manual labour or outdoor work. If you've worked in similar conditions before, share those stories to demonstrate your capability.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
This job involves working closely with a team, so highlight your teamwork skills during the interview. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past roles, especially in high-pressure situations. Communication is key, so let them know you're a team player!
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, or what a typical day looks like. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the job is the right fit for you.