Harvest Manager

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced harvest professional ready to take full ownership of large-scale operations? Do you thrive on leading diverse teams to deliver high-quality crops under tight seasonal pressures? Are you motivated by driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement in a fast‑paced farming environment?

Location of the Job: UK – Herefordshire

Salary & Benefits Package: £30,000 – £40,000 – depending on experience plus accommodation to be discussed. Flexibility required during peak harvest periods, including early mornings, weekends, and seasonal hours.

Opportunity to work within a successful and progressive fresh produce farming business.

About the Company: Our client is a successful fresh produce farming business producing high-quality crops in Herefordshire. Working across a range of fresh produce crops including fruits and vegetables, the business is committed to delivering excellent harvest quality, operational efficiency, and high standards of compliance. The company operates with a strong management structure and values positive leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout its farming operations.

Harvest Manager - The Job Role Details: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Harvest Manager to take full responsibility for harvest planning, labour management, performance, quality, cost control, and compliance across multiple fresh produce crops. Reporting directly to the partners and working closely with the Herefordshire Field Manager, Assistant Farm Manager, Blueberry Manager, and wider Farm Management team, you will play a key role in leading harvest operations in a timely, cost-effective, safe, and positive manner. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring strong people management skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to motivate and develop a seasonal workforce while ensuring the highest harvest standards are maintained.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the harvest workforce to ensure work targets are consistently achieved or exceeded.
• Take responsibility for harvest planning, labour allocation, and effective management of labour resources.
• Manage harvest performance, ensuring fair and consistent implementation of absence and disciplinary procedures.
• Maintain excellent harvest quality standards through strong attention to detail.
• Work collaboratively with packhouse and farm management teams on production standards and labour availability.
• Support crop and labour forecasting for asparagus, blueberries, broccoli, and beans to aid recruitment planning, budgeting, and production decision‑making.
• Take overall responsibility for harvest operations and management cover across the harvest management team.
• Ensure harvest records, payroll data, and operational reports are accurate and submitted on time.
• Drive continuous improvement in harvest efficiency, productivity, cost control, and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, people policies, and associated record keeping.
• Support and develop supervisors and future leaders within the harvest workforce.
• Promote a positive, productive, and motivated working environment across the harvest operation.

Essential Candidate Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in agriculture or horticulture, with previous hands‑on harvest management experience.
• Demonstrable experience leading, managing, and coordinating seasonal teams from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organisational, planning, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage, motivate, and support a multicultural workforce.
• Ability to follow performance and disciplinary procedures correctly.
• Confidence in recording, analysing, and interpreting operational and performance data.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, hands‑on environment with changing priorities.
• Previous experience of health and safety in the workplace.
• Positive, proactive attitude with strong teamwork skills.
• Good computer skills.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, weekends, and peak season hours.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of fresh produce crops.
• Experience working with bonus or performance‑based pay systems.

Working Hours: Full‑time position with flexibility required, including early mornings, weekends, and additional hours during peak harvest periods.