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.

Job description

Join Our Management Committee

Support us in cultivating a sustainable future for our community

Sutton Community Farm is seeking an Operational Expert to join our Management Committee.

This is your chance to join a vibrant farm community dedicated to sustainable, local food production and community wellbeing.

 

• Role: Voluntary Management Committee Member (providing strategic guidance and practical support)

• Time Commitment: 8–10 hours per month

• Meetings: Evening committee meeting every two months (1.5 hours, usually on Tues or Wed)

• Term Length: 3 years

 

Role Overview

We are looking for an operational expert to help guide our farm’s operational strategy.

Over the past decade, we have built a thriving community enterprise that delivers fresh, organic produce to hundreds of households each week. We grow a portion of our produce on site and provide a market channel for local, organic suppliers. Our experienced growing team works alongside volunteers to manage an agroecological smallholding of 7 acres, and we are now seeking expert guidance to support our long-term operational strategy.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic direction and governance oversight
• Advise farm staff on long-term operational planning; balancing crop production, vegbox retail, wholesale sales and community programs with financial sustainability.
• Explore and support transitions toward innovative community-supported farming models.
• Help secure the farm's land, assets, and soil health for future generations of local growers.
• Review and advise on capital expenditure proposals for farm infrastructure, machinery, and equipment.
• Define and track key operational performance metrics, including crop yields, labour efficiency, and health & safety compliance.
• Guide the growing team in trialling sustainable agroecological techniques and optimising harvest workflows.
• Attend bi-monthly committee meetings to report on operational progress, risks, and strategic opportunities.

 

Desired Skills

• High-level understanding of small-scale commercial horticulture, local supply chains and the macroeconomic pressures facing community farms
• Ability to guide a small organisation through operational shifts, infrastructure investments, and scaling challenges without compromising core community values
• Ability to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the growing and retail staff 
• Knowledge of a wide variety of community farming models and the ability to envision how they could be applied at the farm to meet our objectives and purpose.
• Hands-on experience and understanding of the physical work involved
• Experience of managing operational risks
• Strong collaborative communication and a proactive approach
• Interest in sustainable food production and building a deeper connection to the farm and local community
• Knowledge of the local area that SCF operates in (desirable) 

 

Development Opportunities

• Contribute to our real-world implementation of a sustainable food system and community wellbeing initiative
• Transfer your business skills to a community enterprise
• Develop your mentoring capabilities
• Understand effective governance
• Contribute to strategic planning and ethical business development

 

Additional benefits

• 20% discount on our online farm shop
• Integration into our vibrant farm community
• Attending our public events and farm celebrations
• Participation in staff training opportunities
• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £10 per meeting)

Remote working, with occasional visits to the Farm (40a Telegraph Track, Wallington, London SM6 0SH)

More information about the role is available here

Application information

Application Process

Deadline: Monday 23rd November 2026 (by midnight)

• Read through the Role Details document and the  SCF: Management Committee: Introduction and Expectations document

• Complete the application form

• Email your CV to verity@suttoncommunityfarm.org.uk with subject line ‘Operational Expert - Management Committee Application’

Interviews will take place week commencing 30th November 2026.

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs