At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage harvest operations for soft fruit across multiple farms.
- Company: Progressive soft fruit business with a focus on quality and efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation support, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fresh produce while leading dynamic teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in soft fruit management and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Long-term opportunity in a thriving sector with growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A well-established and progressive soft fruit business is seeking an experienced Harvest Manager / Supervisor to oversee harvest operations across multiple farm sites in Scotland and South England. This is a key operational leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality fruit to retail specification while maximising yield, labour productivity and cost efficiency throughout the season. You will manage seasonal picking teams, coordinate daily harvest planning, and ensure full compliance with food safety and health & safety standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan and coordinate daily harvest operations across soft fruit crops
- Lead and manage large seasonal harvesting teams
- Monitor yield, pack-out rates and labour productivity
- Ensure fruit meets retailer specifications and quality standards
- Collaborate with Growing, Technical and Packhouse teams
- Maintain compliance with Food Safety, H&S and ethical standards
- Forecast labour requirements in line with crop volumes
- Drive KPIs, efficiency improvements and cost control
- Report operational performance to senior management
CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Proven experience in Soft Fruit Harvest Management or Supervision
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Experience managing large seasonal workforces
- Knowledge of retail standards (BRCGS / Red Tractor desirable)
- Hands-on, organised and results-driven
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
WHAT’S ON OFFER
- Competitive salary (DOE)
- Accommodation support (where required)
- Career progression within commercial horticulture
- Long-term opportunity with a progressive fresh produce business
Harvest Manager employer: Talent Agri
Contact Detail:
Talent Agri Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Harvest Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the soft fruit and horticulture sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance, demonstrate your leadership and management experience during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed large teams and improved productivity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like us at StudySmarter. Express your enthusiasm for the role and ask about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview! Research the company’s values and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how you can help them meet their goals, especially around yield and compliance with food safety standards.
We think you need these skills to ace Harvest Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Harvest Manager role. Highlight your experience in soft fruit management and any relevant leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills match 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 passionate about soft fruit and how your experience aligns with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements. Did you improve yield or efficiency? Share those numbers! We’re keen to see how you’ve made a difference in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Agri
✨Know Your Crops
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of soft fruit crops before the interview. Understand the specific challenges and best practices in harvesting these fruits, as well as any relevant retail standards like BRCGS or Red Tractor. This will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed large seasonal teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you improved productivity or resolved conflicts. Being able to demonstrate your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values will set you apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially related to yield monitoring and compliance with food safety standards. Prepare scenarios where you had to think on your feet and make quick decisions to ensure quality and efficiency during harvest operations.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the company's goals and how the Harvest Manager role fits into their overall strategy. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to driving KPIs and improving cost control. Showing that you understand the business side of things will impress the interviewers.