Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit)

Agricultural and Farming Jobs Agency; Stafford; On-site; GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee fresh produce packhouse operations in Staffordshire. The role involves leading a team of up to 80 staff, optimizing processes, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Candidates must possess at least 5 years of experience in a similar environment and demonstrate exceptional leadership abilities. Competitive salary of £70,000+ is offered, along with performance-related bonuses and career progression opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension scheme

Training and development opportunities

Performance-related bonuses

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience as an Operations Manager in fresh produce packing.
• Proven ability to lead and develop diverse teams.
• Experience implementing operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production in the packhouse and warehouses.
• Recruit, coach, and mentor staff.
• Manage budgets and control production costs.

Skills

Team leadership

Knowledge of fresh produce packing best practices

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

BRC compliance knowledge

Education

IOSH Level 3 qualification

Job description

Fresh Produce Packhouse Operations Manager (Soft Fruit)

The role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. The successful applicant will need a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Are you an experienced operations manager with a strong background in fresh produce packhouse management? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, leading large teams and driving operational excellence? Are you motivated by optimising processes, embedding best practice, and delivering premium-quality fruit to leading UK retailers?

Location of the Job

Staffordshire (Packhouse-based)

Salary and Benefits Package

• £70,000+ per year, depending on experience, plus performance-related bonuses
• Permanent, full-time role
• Company pension scheme
• Opportunity to work closely with business owners to shape future packhouse strategy
• Training, development, and career progression opportunities

Additional Information

• Full-time role, averaging 48+ hours per week (especially during May-October peak season)
• Shifts may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
• Based in packhouse and warehouse environments, including cold storage areas (1-8°C)
• Leadership responsibility for a seasonal workforce of up to 80 staff

About the Company

Our client is a family-run soft fruit grower and packer located in the Staffordshire countryside. Using state-of-the-art technology, they sustainably grow, pick, pack, and distribute over 6,000 tonnes of world-class berries each year to leading UK and international supermarkets. With more than 20 years of growth and success, they now seek an Operations Manager to bring external best practice, fresh ideas, and leadership to help take their packhouse operations to the next level.

The Job Role Details

As Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading and developing the packhouse team, ensuring production meets customer demand, quality standards, and compliance requirements. You will drive operational excellence through process optimisation, automation, and digitisation, while also ensuring health and safety, cost control, and customer satisfaction. Working closely with the owners, you will shape the operational future of the packhouse.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily production across the packhouse and warehouses, monitoring efficiencies and identifying risks
• Oversee maintenance and implementation of new technologies for packhouse equipment
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and performance-manage staff, embedding a culture of food safety and service quality
• Plan and manage staff working schedules, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical requirements
• Monitor health and safety compliance throughout the packhouse
• Manage budgets, control production costs, and provide actionable insights to drive performance improvements
• Oversee procurement of packhouse-related items, reducing waste and ensuring availability
• Act as the key point of contact for third-party audits and customer visits, hosting auditors and buyers professionally
• Work closely with business owners to align operational priorities with wider company goals

Ideal Person Skills & Qualifications

You will have/be:

• Minimum 5 years' experience as an Operations Manager within a fresh produce or soft fruit packing environment (essential)
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
• Strong knowledge of fresh produce packing best practice, with experience implementing operational improvements
• Excellent communication skills to liaise confidently with directors, auditors, and visiting customers
• BRC compliance knowledge with the ability to host auditors and respond effectively to queries
• High attention to detail, strong ownership mindset, and willingness to resolve issues outside of normal hours when required
• IOSH Level 3 qualification (desirable)
• Additional languages such as Russian or Romanian (advantage)

How to Apply

Please click on the "apply now" button.

The Industry (Key Words)

Packhouse Operations, Fresh Produce, Soft Fruit, Packhouse Manager, Operations Management, Food Safety, HACCP, BRCGS, Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Automation, Leadership, Agriculture, Farming, Logistics.

We thank all applicants who apply for this role. However, please be advised that only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. Be assured that your application will be managed in complete confidence, and your personal details will not be passed to any third party without your prior permission.

About Us

Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide outstanding recruitment, head-hunting, and job advertising services. We are the trusted recruitment partner of choice to industry-leading organisations across the UK and internationally. We recruit specifically for roles across agriculture, farming, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education.