Dorset General - Watercress Farm Supervisor

Vitacress; Wareham; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Vitacress in Dorset invites applications for a Watercress Farm Supervisor at Dorset Farms. You will lead a team, oversee growing, harvesting, and daily farm operations, and ensure high standards of crop quality and environmental care.

This role requires outdoor work across seasons, a full UK driving licence, and the ability to manage records and health and safety compliance. You’ll drive continuous improvement and support multiple sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in crop growing and farm operations; training provided for watercress specifics.
• Full UK driving licence required; tractor experience advantageous.
• Able to work outdoors in all weather; physically demanding work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise growing, harvesting, and daily farm operations.
• Lead and support farm team; promote a positive, collaborative environment.
• Maintain records for harvests, fertilisers, and maintenance.
• Support implementation of new production methods to improve efficiency.
• Maintain farm assets, buildings, and growing areas to high standards.
• Monitor water quality and manage growing cycle to meet environmental standards.
• Ensure health & safety and environmental policies are followed.
• Work across multiple sites as required.

Skills

Crop growing

Farm operations

Driving licence

Tractor driving

Record-keeping

Microsoft Office

Communication

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Flexibility

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Role Opportunity:

Watercress Farm Supervisor, Dorset Farms

Typical Working Pattern:

40 per week covering 6am - 2pm during summer season, 7am - 3pm during winter season with flexibility required during the harvest season

Location:

Dorset Farms

Salary:

£30,591 to £37,389

About The Role

Are you passionate about sustainable farming and protecting the natural environment while producing high-quality, fresh crops? Do you want to lead a team in a watercress farm where caring for water quality, biodiversity, and responsible growing practices are at the heart of everything you do here at Vitacress? If you’re passionate about agriculture and ready to step into a leadership role within a growing business, then this might be just the role for you.

In this role you'll…

• Supervise the growing, harvesting, and daily operations of our watercress farms
• Lead and support the farm team, promoting a positive and collaborative working environment
• Carry out and oversee core farming activities such as planting, fertilising, harvesting, bed cleaning, levelling, rolling, and general crop husbandry
• Ensure farm records are accurately maintained, including harvest, fertiliser, and maintenance logs
• Support the implementation of new production methods to improve efficiency and output
• Maintain farm assets, buildings, and growing areas to a high standard ensuring they are tidy, efficient, and weed-free
• Monitor water quality and manage the growing cycle to meet strict environmental and compliance standards
• Ensure all Health & Safety and environmental policies are followed at all times
• Work across multiple sites where required, supporting wider operations

You can do this if you…

• Have previous demonstrable experience in crop growing and farm operations (we will train and develop you in all the specifics of watercress)
• Should be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions as the role requires a good level of physical stamina due to the nature of farm work and
• Hold a full UK driving licence (essential) tractor driving experience (advantageous)
• Have good knowledge of crop husbandry and farm practices
• Are confident with record-keeping and the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Bring excellent communication skills, are flexible, proactive, and keen to learn and develop and enjoy working as part of a team

You’ll do this for us…

• Deliver high-quality watercress crops in line with Vitacress standards
• Help drive efficiency and continuous improvement across farm operations
• Ensure compliance with environmental requirements, including EA discharge standards
• Maintain a safe, productive, and well-organised farm environment
• Contribute to a culture of teamwork, accountability, and excellence

Vitacress Salads

, based in leafy St Mary Bourne, Andover is one of the principal salad and watercress suppliers in the UK. With our own salad leaf farms, we take immense pride in delivering a field to fork operation. We grow, wash, pack and distribute salad and watercress for retailer own brands and our own brand Steve’s Leaves. We take pleasure in ensuring the best possible standard and we will empower you to do the same. From the way we grow our products, to the relationships we maintain with customers, everyone knows exactly what is going on. We are authentic and grounded. At the centre of everything is a trust that you can feel every day at work. From the salads that are grown on site; to the investment in facilities and the growth of the business; to growing and nurturing out talented employees, growing is truly at the heart of what we do. Join us and become a trusted partner in our business.