Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Production Manager

Flourish Produce
Hildersham, Cambridge

Posted: 30 Aug 2024

Deadline: 14 Oct 2024

Compensation: Competitive salary depending on experience

Living Wage employer

Paid Permanent Fixed term / contract

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Flourish Produce is a certified organic farm located just South of Cambridge. 

Regenerative methods are at the heart of what we do, we focus on building soil and increasing biodiversity whilst operating a commercial production farm. We specialise in growing a diverse range of very high-quality crops including many unusual varieties. Going into our 8th season, we are growing on approximately 80 acres, producing 650 varieties of vegetables, herbs, salads, fruit, flowers and grain. We cultivate a range of perennials, have planted a 20 acre agroforestry site, integrate mob grazing of sheep, and have built a complex rotation including 2 years of every 4 given over to the cultivation of green manures in each of our fields to build soil organic matter. In September of 2025 we will attain our Biodynamic certification.

The majority of our produce is sold direct. We are passionate about nurturing very close relationships with the restaurants, bakers and florists who we supply, as well as our wholesale buyers, our own farm shop and to customers through our seasonal veg box scheme. Our team consists of 12-20 people depending on the time of year.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We’re looking for a kind, honest, motivated and positive individual to join us as a Production Manager. This is a new management role for our dynamic, fast growing farm business but will also be very hands on. Going into the 2025 season, this individual will help execute all aspects of crop production for 50+ acres of field crops and 1.8 acres of protected cropping. We are looking for a strong leader with excellent communication skills who can manage our workforce effectively. Someone who can lead by example whilst maintaining the positive work environment we have created. This individual will help us improve efficiency, develop our production systems, and work with the other members of our management team to increase our quality and capacity. This job will involve all production activities (pre harvest), including planning, land preparation, planting, weeding, irrigation, pest and disease management along with all other farm related work. It will involve tractor operation, implement use and equipment troubleshooting. We would like someone who has experience farming at scale.

Work will involve:

1. Oversee day-to-day farming operations, scheduling and prioritising jobs and managing work flow to ensure optimal productivity and quality.
2. Conduct regular crop walks to monitor plant health and identify potential issues.
3. Collaborate with other team members to build our production plan, manage production records and spreadsheets up to date.
4. Develop and implement detailed crop plans, including scheduling of weeding, irrigating, netting, pollinators, integrated pest management and fertiliser application.
5. Manage and motivate a team of workers including our current team of growers and a group of seasonal workers, ensuring high standards of performance, productivity and safety
6. Supervise and coordinate with the tractor operators and contractors
7. Install and manage irrigation
8. Work closely with harvest Supervisor, Pack Barn Manager and Office team to increase sales opportunities, schedule harvest and to reduce crop waste
9. Arrange the maintenance, repair and improvements where necessary of farm buildings, machinery, vehicles and equipment
10. Ensure that farm activities comply with health and safety regulations.

Beautiful thatched 2 bedroom cottage on the farm as part of package.

Application information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Email a CV and cover letter (explaining why you would like to join Flourish and how your past experience makes you most suitable for the role) to office@flourishproduce.co.uk

List 3 times and dates on Wednesday afternoon or Saturday when you are available for a call the week following your application submission.

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