Grower Manager

LOWER HOPE FRUIT LIMITED; Hereford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

LOWER HOPE FRUIT LIMITED in Hereford is seeking a Grower Manager to lead agronomy, crop protection, fertigation, irrigation, and compliance across substrate raspberries and cherry orchards. You will oversee budgets, audits, and capital grants while directing the spraying and irrigation teams.

The role requires experience with Gatekeeper or similar farm software, knowledge of UK government schemes (CS, SFI), and strong leadership to coordinate seasonal operations and training.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in commercial substrate soft fruit production (raspberries/orchards).
• In-depth understanding of closed/semi-closed substrate fertigation and moisture deficit planning.
• Strong proficiency with Gatekeeper or similar farm management software, with ability to learn new platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead agronomy, crop protection, and growing operations for substrate raspberries and cherry orchards.
• Formulate weekly spray programs following agronomist recommendations and label requirements.
• Generate, issue, and manage spray plans and records using Gatekeeper or similar software.
• Procure and manage inventories of PPP, bio controls, and inputs.
• Design fertigation recipes and nutrient strategies with external nutritionists for 8.5 ha.
• Direct irrigation parameters based on soil moisture data and real-time metrics.
• Ensure compliance with government schemes and audits (CS, SFI, grants).
• Lead audits for Red Tractor, LEAF Marque, and retailer standards.
• Manage budgets, POs, and supplier invoices using farm accounting systems.
• Provide line management and training for Spray Operator and Irrigation Operatives.

Skills

IPM

Fertigation

Irrigation management

Tools

Gatekeeper

Key Prime

Swift

Job description

Spray Operator, Irrigation Operatives (Full-Time & Seasonal)

Working Hours

Location

Competitive, dependent on experiences (DOE)

Primary Purpose of the Role

To lead, direct, and oversee all agronomic, crop protection, and growing operations across the Fruit Department, with primary focus and expertise dedicated to substrate raspberries and cherry orchards. The Grower Manager holds full operational accountability for crop protection, fertigation program design, seasonal water allocation, compliance audits (e.g. Red Tractor, LEAF Marque), government agricultural schemes and capital grants, budget tracking, and direct line management of the growing and spraying team.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Agronomy & Crop Protection Management

Conduct regular bi-weekly crop walks alongside external agronomists to monitor crop development, pest pressures, and disease risk.

Formulate comprehensive weekly spray programs strictly adhering to agronomist recommendations, statutory label rates, and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).

Generate, issue, and manage all spray plans and agronomic records accurately using Gatekeeper (GK) or similar farm management software, leading future software transitions as needed.

Procure and manage inventories of Plant Protection Products (PPP), bio controls, and crop protection inputs.

Formulate seasonal fertigation recipes and nutritional strategies in collaboration with external crop nutritionists across 8.5 ha of substrate raspberries and soil-grown cherry/top fruit orchards.

Direct daily and weekly irrigation parameters based on Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) models, morning squeeze tests, and real-time Agri-tech probe metrics (pH, Electrical Conductivity, run-off percentages).

Manage estate water allocation and monitor abstraction license compliance across reservoirs and boreholes.

3. Government Schemes, Stewardships & Capital Grants

Oversee and ensure day-to-day compliance with active UK government agricultural and environmental agreements, including Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions.

Actively identify, review, and evaluate potential new government schemes, environmental land management opportunities, and horticulture/agriculture capital grants (such as the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund [FETF] and productivity/water management grants) to improve farm infrastructure, sustainability, and commercial efficiency.

4. Auditing, Compliance & Health and Safety

Serve as the lead agronomic representative for all external audits, including Red Tractor, LEAF Marque, and retailer technical standards.

Ensure strict adherence to COSHH assessments, pesticide storage regulations, machinery safety standards (NSTS MOT certifications), and environmental protection policies.

Maintain fully reconciled and auditable electronic spray, nutrition, fertilizer, and stewardship records.

5. Financial & Budgetary Control

Manage and monitor the growing department's operational budgets.

Generate, approve, and track purchase orders and verify departmental supplier invoices using farm accounting systems (e.g. Key Prime / Swift).

Conduct annual harvest reconciliations, stock valuations, and year-end performance reporting.

6. Team Leadership & Operational Coordination

Provide direct line management, mentorship, and daily/weekly work allocation for the Spray Operator and Irrigation Operatives.

Coordinate peak-season operational rotas and ensure seamless coverage across spraying windows and 7-day irrigation cycles.

Identify professional development needs and coordinate statutory staff training (e.g. PA certifications, machinery tickets, health and safety courses).

Essential Requirements - Experience

Proven track record in commercial substrate soft fruit production (specifically substrate raspberries / protected cropping).

Essential Requirements - Agronomic Acumen

In-depth understanding of closed/semi-closed substrate fertigation, moisture deficit planning, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Essential Requirements - Technical & IT Skills

Strong proficiency with Gatekeeper or comparable farm management/agronomy recording software, with adaptability to learn new platforms.

• Commercial experience with cherries or top fruit orchards; familiarity with UK government schemes, Countryside Stewardship, SFI, and agricultural/horticultural capital grants
• Practical familiarity with automated fertigation dosing systems and Agri-tech substrate/soil probes
• Working knowledge of agricultural accounting software (e.g. Key Prime / Swift).