Farm Manager

Fresh People; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job description

The Role

At Fresh People we are currently recruiting for two experienced Farm Managers on behalf of our client, a successful and expanding fruit business based in Kent. These two roles offer an exciting opportunity for individuals with strong horticultural and people management experience to develop their careers within the top fruit sector.

You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of crop and harvest management across multiple sites, working closely with the Farms Manager and leading both full-time and seasonal teams. These positions require a hands-on approach and a sound understanding of crop production, operations, and cost control.

The Candidate

Suitable candidates must have previous experience in a similar farm management role within the top fruit industry. You will need proven crop knowledge and the ability to lead and develop teams, with a confident and commercially aware mindset. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential, alongside experience working to budgets and maintaining compliance with relevant audit and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Oversee and manage daily crop operations including pruning, herbicides, spraying, thinning, harvesting, and machinery maintenance
2. Lead and support full-time and seasonal staff across multiple farms
3. Work closely with the Farms Manager to plan and deliver operations effectively
4. Ensure compliance with Red Tractor and Health & Safety audits
5. Monitor and manage training and re-training of operational staff
6. Maintain control over operational costs and work within agreed budgets
7. Deliver against key performance indicators including packhouse feedback and audit performance
8. Continuously evaluate farm practices for improvement and efficiency
9. Support the business in its continued growth and development

If you're looking to take the next step in your farming career and be part of an ambitious and growing business, then we'd love to hear from you.