• Ensure that all purchased plants meet quality specification. Report any problems to the Head of Soft Fruit Growing immediately.
• Be able to create crop plans in various growing situations, glasshouses, heated tunnels, and traditional tunnels. Be able to long term forecast for the commercial department. Be able to problem solve crop issues and have solutions to rectify problems.
• Together with the operations team plan and deliver crop costs against the annual husbandry tasks and labour requirements. Implement irrigation, fertigation and plant protection products as required throughout the season and maintain records to enable future analysis and improvements. Ensure that spraying is in compliance with current legislation and agreed guidelines.
• Extensive knowledge of Biologicals and pests. Able to create yearly biological programs. Recommend spray programs that work together with biologicals. Environmental assessments of crop surroundings.
• Report monthly against budget on all inputs. Maintain all records as required. Able to lead and participate in any audits.
• Lead the Herefordshire growing teams and support, inform and direct the teams by highlighting business priorities and customer requirements.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvements across the Herefordshire Farms. Evaluate all processes continuously and identify opportunities for improvements with the team through an engaging style of management. Strive to continuously increase value to the customers, the company and employees by enhancing OTIF (On Time In Full) performance.

Attributes:

• Practical and decisive. Understands how an effective and efficiently run growing operation can contribute to stronger overall business profitability. Has a comprehensive understanding of modern protected soft fruit growing techniques.
• Managing a number of closely located production areas of soft fruit will require a grower with attention to detail and dedication. Plans and organises meticulously to ensure successful outcomes in terms of adherence to quality, cost and timeframe.
• An enthusiastic and experienced hands-on grower who is a strong communicator both within and outside the Growing team. Able to develop productive working relationships with colleagues in other parts of the business and has excellent team building.
• Qualified in FACTS, BASIS, PRIVA, PA1, 2, 6a and b. preferable.