Harvest Manager

We're recruiting an experienced Harvest Manager to take full ownership of harvest operations on a large-scale soft fruit farm. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll plan, organise, and run the harvest from field to packhouse, making sure people, quality, and performance all align.

You'll lead harvest teams, manage daily and weekly plans, set picking rates, and ensure fruit is picked, handled, and chilled correctly to protect quality and shelf life. You'll also work closely with production, packhouse, and logistics teams to keep everything running smoothly during peak season.

This is a permanent role, not seasonal, offering long-term stability and progression within a modern, growing farming business.

• Plan and manage harvest activity across multiple crops

• Lead, motivate, and develop harvest teams and team leaders

• Organise labour, logistics, transport, and daily schedules

• Set picking prices and monitor earnings in line with policy

• Ensure fruit meets quality, safety, and legal standards

• Oversee chilling and handling processes to protect shelf life

• Control harvest costs and work to budgets and targets

• Maintain accurate harvest records and forecasts

• Work closely with packhouse and wider farm teams

• Uphold health & safety standards at all times

Outside peak harvest, you'll support wider farm operations and team management.

• Minimum 2 years' experience in soft fruit or fresh produce harvest operations

• Proven experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment

• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills

• Confident communicator with basic computer skills

• Flexible approach to working hours during peak periods

• Salary 38k- 44k, depending on experience

• Discretionary annual bonus

• Employer pension contribution

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)

• Life assurance and private medical (after probation)

• Free parking and additional benefits

• Long-term, permanent opportunity within a growing business

Typically day-based, but flexibility is essential during harvest, earlier starts or later finishes may be required depending on the crop and conditions.

If you're an experienced harvest leader looking for ownership, stability, and a role where you can make a real impact, this is a strong opportunity worth exploring.