At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage large-scale potato and arable farming operations, ensuring high-quality crop production.
- Company: Specialist arable and potato farm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation, company vehicle, and performance-related bonuses.
- Other info: Permanent full-time role with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead a dynamic team and make a real impact in sustainable farming.
- Qualifications: Experience in farm management, strong agronomic knowledge, and leadership skills.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
Location of the Job: South East / East of England.
Salary and Benefits Package:
- Highly competitive salary depending on experience, circa £80,000 per year.
- Accommodation included - three bedroom house.
- Company vehicle.
- Performance-related company bonus.
Additional information: This is a permanent full-time position.
About The Company: Specialist arable and potato farm.
The Job Role Details: As the Farm Manager you will be responsible for the operational, agronomic, and commercial management of a large-scale arable and potato farming operation. This role focuses on delivering high-quality crops safely, efficiently, and profitably while managing people, machinery, land, and compliance.
You will be responsible for:
- Crop Production & Agronomy: Plan, establish, grow, harvest, and store potato crops to high quality standards. Arable cropping (e.g. cereals, break crops) including rotations and soil health as a covering role. Work with Agronomists on variety choice, nutrition, crop protection, and IPM. Monitor yields, quality, and crop performance. Implement irrigation strategy and water management. Manage the irrigation cycle and team, including problem solving and repairs. Manage storage quality and out loading.
- Operational & Machinery Management: Plan seasonal workloads and labour deployment. Manage harvesting operations and logistics. Oversee maintenance and utilisation of machinery and equipment. Manage fuel, parts, and machinery budgets. Ensure efficient field operations and minimal downtime.
- People Management: Lead and motivate permanent and seasonal staff. Recruit, induct, and train staff. Set clear expectations and manage performance. Ensure compliance with health & safety standards. Manage labour planning for peak seasons.
- Financial & Commercial Management: Prepare and manage crop budgets. Monitor costs, margins, and operational KPIs. Work with commercial teams on contracts and customer requirements. Support strategic investment and capital planning. Contribute to long-term farm strategy.
- Compliance, Health & Safety: Ensure compliance with Red Tractor, environmental stewardship, and legal standards. Maintain spray records, assurance documentation, and audits. Promote a strong health & safety culture. Manage environmental and sustainability initiatives.
- Land & Estate Management: Manage soil structure, drainage, and fertility. Liaise with landlords, neighbours, and contractors. Support land acquisition, tenancy, and stewardship schemes. Oversee environmental schemes.
- Reporting & Communication: Report regularly on crop performance, labour, and budgets. Communicate effectively with Directors, Agronomists, and suppliers. Maintain accurate records and plans.
Ideal Person Skills & Qualifications:
- Proven experience managing large-scale potato and arable farm operations.
- Strong agronomic knowledge.
- Good mechanical understanding and application.
- Experience leading teams and managing seasonal labour.
- Commercially aware with budgeting experience.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
- BASIS / FACTS qualification.
- Experience with irrigation systems.
- Familiarity with assurance schemes and audits.
- Calm under pressure during peak seasons.
- Forward-thinking and strategic.
How to apply: Please click on the APPLY NOW button.
We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, please be advised that only those short listed for an interview will be contacted. Please be assured that your job application will be managed in complete confidence and your personal details will not be passed to any third party without your prior permission.
Farm Manager employer: Menter a Busnes
As a leading specialist arable and potato farm in the South East / East of England, we pride ourselves on offering a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including accommodation and a company vehicle. Our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values quality, sustainability, and the well-being of our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Farm Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the farming industry. Attend local agricultural events, join online forums, or even hit up social media groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience managing large-scale operations and your agronomic knowledge. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed crops or led teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – follow up! After you submit your application through our website, drop a quick email or call to express your enthusiasm for the role. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar, which can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their crop production methods and any recent news about them. This will help you ask insightful questions and demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Farm Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience managing large-scale potato and arable farm operations. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use bullet points or short paragraphs to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific job description. Mention your agronomic knowledge and any relevant qualifications like BASIS or FACTS. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Menter a Busnes
✨Know Your Crops
Make sure you brush up on your agronomic knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific crop management strategies, including irrigation techniques and pest control methods. Showing that you understand the nuances of potato and arable farming will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Farm Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your people management skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated and trained staff in the past. Highlight any experience you have with seasonal labour management, as this is key during peak seasons.
✨Understand Financials
Familiarise yourself with budgeting and financial management in farming operations. Be prepared to discuss how you've monitored costs and margins in previous roles. This will show that you're commercially aware and can contribute to the farm's profitability.
✨Compliance is Key
Brush up on relevant compliance standards, such as Red Tractor and environmental stewardship. Be ready to talk about how you've ensured compliance in past roles, as this is vital for maintaining high-quality standards and a strong health & safety culture on the farm.