At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth of a biodynamic market garden and produce high-quality fruit and vegetables.
- 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 with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable food production and shape a growing market garden.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial growing and a passion for sustainable 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
What's the job?
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
Lead Grower in Sheffield employer: MorePeople
Join a pioneering market garden in West Sussex, where your passion for sustainable food production can flourish. With a strong commitment to biodiversity and community engagement, this role offers 32 days of holiday, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to collaborate with experienced horticulturalists and chefs in a vibrant, forward-thinking environment. Be part of a transformative project that values hands-on work and strategic planning, making a meaningful impact on local food systems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Grower in Sheffield
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like MorePeople.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like MorePeople.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at MorePeople; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Grower in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at MorePeople.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Lead Grower.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what MorePeople is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at MorePeople a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at MorePeople might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
