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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic packhouse team to optimise fresh produce operations.
- Company: Family-run soft fruit grower with over 20 years of success in Staffordshire.
- Benefits: Earn £70,000+ per year plus bonuses, with training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of packhouse operations while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in operations management within fresh produce; strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with potential for significant career growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Overview
Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit) 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
Staffordshire (Packhouse-based)
Salary and Benefits
- £70,000+ per year, depending on experience, plus performance-related bonuses
- Permanent, full-time role
- Company pension scheme
- Opportunity to work closely with business owners to shape future packhouse strategy
- Training, development, and career progression opportunities
Additional Information
- Full-time role, averaging 48+ hours per week (especially during May-October peak season)
- Shifts may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
- Based in packhouse and warehouse environments, including cold storage areas (1-8°C)
- Leadership responsibility for a seasonal workforce of up to 80 staff
The Company
Our client is a family-run soft fruit grower and packer located in the Staffordshire countryside. Using state-of-the-art technology, they sustainably grow, pick, pack, and distribute over 6,000 tonnes of world-class berries each year to leading UK and international supermarkets. With more than 20 years of growth and success, they now seek an Operations Manager to bring external best practice, fresh ideas, and leadership to help take their packhouse operations to the next level.
Role Details
Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager – The Job Role Details: As Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the packhouse team, ensuring production meets customer demand, quality standards, and compliance requirements. You will drive operational excellence through process optimisation, automation, and digitisation, while also ensuring health and safety, cost control, and customer satisfaction. Working closely with the owners, you will shape the operational future of the packhouse.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily production across the packhouse and warehouses, monitoring efficiencies and identifying risks
- Oversee maintenance and implementation of new technologies for packhouse equipment
- Recruit, coach, mentor, and performance-manage staff, embedding a culture of food safety and service quality
- Plan and manage staff working schedules, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical requirements
- Monitor health and safety compliance throughout the packhouse
- Manage budgets, control production costs, and provide actionable insights to drive performance improvements
- Oversee procurement of packhouse-related items, reducing waste and ensuring availability
- Act as the key point of contact for third-party audits and customer visits, hosting auditors and buyers professionally
- Work closely with business owners to align operational priorities with wider company goals
Ideal Candidate
Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager – Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years\’ experience as an Operations Manager within a fresh produce or soft fruit packing environment (essential)
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
- Strong knowledge of fresh produce packing best practice, with experience implementing operational improvements
- Excellent communication skills to liaise confidently with directors, auditors, and visiting customers
- BRC compliance knowledge with the ability to host auditors and respond effectively to queries
- High attention to detail, strong ownership mindset, and willingness to resolve issues outside of normal hours when required
- IOSH Level 3 qualification (desirable)
- Additional languages such as Russian or Romanian (advantage)
How to Apply
Please click on the \”apply now\” button.
Industry Keywords
Packhouse Operations, Fresh Produce, Soft Fruit, Packhouse Manager, Operations Management, Food Safety, HACCP, BRCGS, Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Automation, Leadership, Agriculture, Farming, Logistics.
We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, please be advised that only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. Be assured that your application will be managed in complete confidence, and your personal details will not be passed to any third party without your prior permission.
About Us
Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide outstanding recruitment, head-hunting, and job advertising services. We are the trusted recruitment partner of choice to industry-leading organisations across the UK and internationally. We recruit specifically for roles across agriculture, farming, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education.
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Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit) employer: Menter a Busnes
Contact Detail:
Menter a Busnes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want to show them that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and ready to contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your experience and skills clearly. Mock interviews with friends can help you nail it!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. We want to keep that connection alive and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in operations management, especially in fresh produce or soft fruit packing environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved operations in the past. We love seeing your personality come through!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, make sure to showcase your relevant experience clearly. Mention any leadership roles, compliance knowledge, and operational improvements you've implemented. We’re keen on seeing how you can bring fresh ideas to our packhouse!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Menter a Busnes
✨Know Your Produce
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh produce packing and soft fruit operations. Understand the latest trends in the industry, including automation and digitisation, as well as best practices for quality assurance and food safety. This will show your potential employer that you're not just interested in the role, but that you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Manager, you'll be leading a diverse team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated and developed teams in previous roles. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, especially in fast-paced environments. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire a workforce effectively.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of BRC compliance and health and safety in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with audits and regulatory requirements. Familiarise yourself with common compliance issues in the fresh produce sector and be prepared to explain how you've handled them in the past. This will highlight your attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Align with Company Goals
Research the company’s mission and values, and think about how your vision aligns with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to shaping the operational future of the packhouse. Showing that you understand their goals and can help achieve them will set you apart from other candidates.
