Lead Equipment Operator in Leeds

Position Title:Lead Equipment Operator

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Requisition ID: 44424

Agricultural Equipment Operator

Leeds

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

Join our farming team and play a vital role in delivering successful crop production from planting through to harvest. As an Agricultural Equipment Operator, you will take ownership of a wide range of arable farming activities, operating modern machinery and equipment to support the efficient day-to-day running of our farm operations.

In this hands-on role, you'll be responsible for carrying out key field activities including soil preparation, planting, ridging, spraying, harvesting, and hedge planting. You'll also help ensure our equipment remains in peak condition through regular servicing, preventative maintenance, and the prompt resolution of breakdowns, helping to keep operations running safely and efficiently.

What you’ll be doing.

• Operate a range of modern agricultural machinery including tractors, sprayers, harvesters and other specialist equipment to safely and efficiently deliver all arable farming operations.
• Take ownership of day-to-day field activities, supporting crop production from soil preparation and planting through to crop care and harvest.
• Maintain and service farm machinery, carrying out routine inspections, preventative maintenance and timely repairs to minimise downtime and maximise operational efficiency.
• Complete off-season machinery maintenance programmes, ensuring all equipment is fully prepared and operational for the season ahead.
• Accurately record farming activities and resource usage, including water, fertiliser, crop protection products and fuel consumption.
• Collaborate closely with Agronomy, Research and Technical teams to support field trials, data collection and the successful delivery of farm projects.
• Support farm stewardship initiatives, including the planting and maintenance of hedgerows and wider site upkeep activities.
• Champion a strong safety culture, following all company policies, procedures and safe working practices at all times.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, ensuring machinery, equipment and work areas are clean, organised and well maintained.
• Keep training and certifications up to date, continuously developing your skills and knowledge to support safe and effective farm operations.

What you’ll need to be successful.

We're looking for someone who combines practical farming experience with a proactive, safety-first approach and a passion for modern agriculture.

• Proven experience operating agricultural machinery, including tractors, sprayers, harvesters and crop storage equipment.
• Strong understanding of arable crop production, with knowledge of key farming operations throughout the growing season.
• Experience working with precision agriculture technologies, including GPS-guided machinery and modern harvesting equipment.
• Practical mechanical aptitude, with experience carrying out equipment servicing, maintenance and basic repairs.
• Valid driving licence, with any relevant agricultural machinery licences or certifications required for the role.
• Confident using technology and farm management systems, with the ability to accurately record and manage operational data.
• PA1 and PA2 pesticide application certification (or equivalent), with experience safely applying crop protection products.
• Physically capable of working in an outdoor agricultural environment, including carrying out the practical aspects of the role. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Strong commitment to health and safety, with the ability to follow procedures and maintain high operational standards.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, whilst also collaborating effectively with colleagues across farm, agronomy, research and technical teams.

Benefits.

Although we do encourage you to taste the goods, you'll be pleased to know we don't pay you in chips. Alongside your salary, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including:

• An excellent salary sacrifice pension scheme where we'll contribute double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your salary
• 25 days' annual leave from day one plus bank holidays (increasing with service), giving you plenty of time to recharge with the opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year
• Life insurance cover providing peace of mind for you and your family
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, because the moments that matter outside of work matter to us too
• Medicash health cash plan, helping you claim money back on everyday healthcare costs, with access to a virtual GP and wellbeing support
• TELUS Health employee and family assistance programme offering full wellbeing support - including a 24/7 confidential counselling line, legal and financial guidance, and a range of employee discounts.
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• A paid 'Chips In' Volunteering Day, giving you the opportunity to support projects that make a positive impact in our communities
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows

And because you're joining a global business, your career opportunities don't stop at the factory gate. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, step into leadership, or even explore opportunities internationally, we'll support your growth. With ambitious plans for the future, there's plenty of scope to develop your career with us.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities.

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Agriculture

Location(s): GB - United Kingdom : England : Leeds

Company: McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd