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: 32 days holiday, hands-on experience, and collaboration with experts in the field.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- 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 45000 - 45000 £ 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 in Sussex employer: MorePeople
Join a pioneering estate in West Sussex that champions sustainable food production and biodynamic practices, offering a unique opportunity to lead a market garden operation. With a strong commitment to biodiversity and community engagement, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture, 32 days of holiday, and the chance to work alongside experienced horticulturalists and chefs in a forward-thinking environment. This role not only allows for hands-on growing but also strategic input, making it an ideal position for those passionate about meaningful agricultural practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Grower in Sussex
✨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 their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to sustainable food production. Building connections can give you insider info and potentially a foot in the door.
✨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 work in crop planning and sustainable practices to demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to be part of their exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Grower in Sussex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Make sure to express your enthusiasm for sustainable food production and biodynamic growing in your application. We love seeing candidates who share our vision for a greener future!
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send the same CV to everyone! Highlight your experience in commercial fruit and vegetable production, and make it clear how your skills align with the role of Lead Grower. We want to see what makes you unique!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so get to the point about why you’re the perfect fit for this hands-on role. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can manage both practical and strategic tasks!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨Know Your Biodynamic Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of biodynamic growing practices. Be ready to discuss how these methods can enhance sustainability and biodiversity in the market garden. Showing genuine passion for sustainable food production will definitely impress.
✨Showcase Your Planning Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with crop planning and rotations. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed crop selection and harvesting timelines in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to align production with demand, which is crucial for this position.
✨Communicate Collaboratively
Since this role involves working closely with chefs and other horticultural teams, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Strong communication skills are key!
✨Bring Your Enthusiasm
Let your passion for sustainable food production shine through during the interview. Share your vision for the future of the market garden and how you can contribute to its growth. A proactive mindset and enthusiasm for developing new projects will set you apart from other candidates.
