Farm Manager

MorePeople; Ely; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A long-established family farm operation in Ely is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead their fresh-produce operation. You will shape crop strategies, manage budgets, and drive operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The right candidate will have substantial experience in horticulture, enjoy the autonomy of the role, and thrive on strategic planning mixed with hands-on leadership. This position offers competitive salary and opportunities for growth within the business.

Benefits

Competitive salary + company vehicle

Long-term growth potential

Opportunity to modernise and influence farming operations

Qualifications

• Significant experience in large-scale fresh produce or horticulture.
• Confident in managing resources and budgets.
• Thrives in strategic planning combined with hands-on leadership.

Responsibilities

• Shape crop strategy and lead a talented team.
• Plan and manage cropping programmes and rotations.
• Ensure H&S and environmental compliance.
• Prepare for audits and manage performance metrics.

Skills

Commercial crop production understanding

People management

Budget and KPI management

Strategic planning

Agronomic excellence

Job description

Ready to take the wheel of a truly impressive fresh‑produce operation? I'm working with a long‑established, second‑generation family business that farms over 2,500 acres, runs its own state‑of‑the‑art leek processing facility, and is looking for an experienced Farm Manager to help steer the next chapter of their farming success.

If you're commercially sharp, hands‑on, a natural leader and happiest when you're balancing strategy with mud‑on‑your‑boots fieldwork… this one's for you.

The Role

This is a senior role with real influence. You'll be shaping crop strategy, leading a talented team, and driving the three big pillars the business is built on: Crop quality. Operational efficiency. Sustainable profitability.

You'll be working across multiple crops, with harvests running 10 months of the year, so no two weeks ever look the same. You'll collaborate closely with the Farms Director, Operations Manager and wider technical, commercial and supply chain teams to keep the whole operation slick, productive and future‑focused.

A few things you'll get involved in:

• Planning and managing cropping programmes and rotations
• Liaising with agronomists and driving agronomic excellence
• Managing budgets, forecasts, KPIs and CAPEX
• Preparing for audits (LEAF, Red Tractor, GlobalG.A.P.)
• Leading, coaching and developing a skilled workforce
• Ensuring H\&S, environmental compliance and DEFRA standards
• Supporting long‑term sustainability projects, soil health and carbon‑reduction initiatives

Who We're Looking For

An experienced Farm Manager who:

• Has significant experience in large‑scale fresh produce, horticulture or similar
• Understands commercial crop production inside out
• Thrives in a mix of strategic planning and hands‑on leadership
• Is confident managing people, resources, budgets and audits
• Knows the realities of winter harvesting and fresh‑produce pressures
• Enjoys autonomy and takes ownership of results
• Communicates confidently with field teams, directors and external partners
• Isn't afraid of long days, muddy boots and getting stuck in

What's in It for You

• Competitive salary + company vehicle
• Join a stable, well‑invested family business with big ambitions
• A role with long‑term growth, contracts are strong and expanding
• Real succession potential as the next generation steps into the business
• A chance to modernise, innovate and influence the future of the farm

What Next?

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, drop me a message and let's talk. This is a fantastic role for a seasoned farm leader who wants real impact, real autonomy and a farm operation they can be proud of.

For an informal chat, please call Emily on 01780 480530, email [e-mail] or message me on LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't up to date, just send what you have already, and we can sort the rest later.