At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth of a biodynamic market garden and manage crop production.
- Company: Join a well-established estate focused on sustainability and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, hands-on work, and collaboration with experts.
- Other info: Be part of a forward-thinking team in a dynamic, community-focused environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable food production and shape a growing operation.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial growing and a passion for biodynamic practices.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Passionate about sustainable food production and biodynamic growing? Looking for an opportunity to shape a developing market garden and be part of an exciting 'field to fork' vision? This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established estate with a rich heritage, currently undergoing an exciting period of growth and transformation. With a strong focus on biodiversity, sustainability, and community engagement, the business is investing in its food production capabilities to support both wholesale supply and a new on-site restaurant offering.
If you're an experienced grower who enjoys both hands-on work and planning at scale, this role offers the chance to make a real impact.
What's on offer?- 32 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Opportunity to shape and develop a growing market garden operation
- Work alongside experienced horticulturalists, chefs, and specialists
- Be part of a forward-thinking, sustainability-led project
- A collaborative, community-focused working environment
This is a key role within a developing fresh produce operation, focused on producing high-quality fruit and vegetables for both wholesale and on-site hospitality.
You'll lead the day-to-day growing activities within a biodynamic market garden, while working closely with internal stakeholders to align production with demand.
Day to day, you'll be:
- Planning and delivering crop production across a productive market garden
- Managing crop selection, sowing schedules, and harvesting timelines
- Ensuring consistent supply for wholesale customers and on-site food outlets
- Working closely with chefs to deliver seasonal, field-to-fork produce
- Collaborating with wider horticultural teams on garden development projects
- Supervising part-time growers and coordinating volunteer support
- Supporting the development of biodynamic growing practices
- Contributing to the long-term vision of sustainable food production and community engagement
This is a hands-on role with a strong planning element, ideal for someone who enjoys both practical growing and strategic input.
What do I need?- Experience in commercial fruit and vegetable production
- Strong knowledge of crop planning, rotations, and seasonal growing
- Passion for sustainable or biodynamic growing practices
- Ability to manage workloads and coordinate small teams or volunteers
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach
- A proactive mindset and enthusiasm for developing new projects
For an informal, confidential chat, please call Kieran on 01780 480530, email, or connect via LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't fully up to date - send what you have, and we can take it from there.
Lead Grower employer: MorePeople
Join a pioneering market garden in West Sussex that champions sustainable food production and community engagement. With a collaborative work culture, generous benefits including 32 days of holiday, and the opportunity to shape a biodynamic growing operation, this role is perfect for passionate growers looking to make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Grower
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their values, projects, and community engagement efforts. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their sustainable vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to sustainable agriculture. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how your experience aligns with their needs. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your crop planning and team management skills, as well as your passion for biodynamic practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining their exciting journey in sustainable food production.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Grower
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for sustainable food production and biodynamic growing shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for the field-to-fork vision and how you can contribute to our exciting journey.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in commercial fruit and vegetable production. We’re looking for specific examples of crop planning and managing teams, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Yourself:We love authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Share your unique approach to growing and how you’ve collaborated with others in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of getting noticed, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures it lands in the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨Know Your Crops
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sustainable and biodynamic growing practices. Be ready to discuss specific crops, their growing conditions, and how you would manage them in a market garden setting. This shows your passion and expertise!
✨Show Your Planning Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with crop planning and rotations. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed sowing schedules and harvesting timelines in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the strategic side of the role.
✨Communicate Collaboratively
Since this role involves working closely with chefs and other horticulturalists, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your strong communication skills and how they’ve helped you achieve common goals in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Your Community Focus
This position is all about community engagement, so be prepared to share your thoughts on how you can contribute to that vision. Discuss any past experiences where you’ve engaged with the community or led volunteer projects, showcasing your proactive mindset.
