Growing Operative Forklift Trained

Vitacress Limited; Chichester; On-site; GBP 29,312 - 39,658; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured training

Skill development

Supportive team

Leading fresh produce business

Career progression

Job summary

Vitacress Herbs in Runcton near Chichester, West Sussex, is hiring a Growing Operative (Forklift Trained). Salary £13.81/hour, 07:00–15:00, Thursday to Monday, full-time permanent. You will drive forklift tasks in glasshouses, sow seeds, space crops, and monitor pests while upholding food safety and hygiene standards.

We value reliability, teamwork, and a hands-on approach. Training and development are provided to help you grow with a leading fresh produce business.

Qualifications

• Hold a current forklift driving license or certification.
• Reliable and hardworking.
• Horticulture or growing experience.
• Health & Safety knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Carry out forklift tasks across our glasshouses.
• Sowing seeds and supporting crop growth.
• Spacing crops to the required standards.
• Monitoring and reporting pest, disease, and crop issues.
• Weeding and maintaining growing areas and potting and plugging young plants.
• Operating machinery safely and efficiently.
• Moving benches throughout the growing process.
• Maintaining high standards of hygiene, quality, and food safety.
• Recording basic information using company systems.
• Supporting continuous improvement and waste reduction initiatives.
• Working safely and following Health & Safety procedures at all times.
• Carrying out tasks to support the wider Growing Team.

Skills

Forklift licence

Teamwork

Independent working

Detail oriented

Health & Safety

Horticulture experience

Pest recognition

Food safety awareness

Job description

Vitacress Herbs, Pagham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Job Description

Location: Vitacress Herbs, Runcton near Chichester

Hours: 07:00 – 15:00, Thursday to Monday

Salary: £13.81 per hour, paid monthly

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Join the Vitacress Growing Team! We are looking for a Growing Operative (Forklift Trained) to join our team in Runcton. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in their work, and has a keen eye for detail.

What You'll Be Doing

• Carry out all tasks required for a forklift trained driver across our glasshouses
• Sowing seeds and supporting crop growth
• Spacing crops to the required standards
• Monitoring and reporting pest, disease, and crop issues
• Weeding and maintaining growing areas and potting and plugging young plants
• Operating machinery safely and efficiently
• Moving benches throughout the growing process
• Maintaining high standards of hygiene, quality, and food safety
• Recording basic information using company systems
• Supporting continuous improvement and waste reduction initiatives
• Working safely and following Health & Safety procedures at all times
• Carrying out tasks to support the wider Growing Team

What We're Looking For

We would love to hear from you if you are:

• Reliable and hardworking
• A great team player and able to work independently when required
• Hold a current forklift driving license or certification
• Adaptable and willing to learn new skills
• Detail-oriented and quality-focused
• Comfortable working in a practical, hands‑on environment
• Horticulture or growing experience
• Pest and disease recognition
• Food Safety awareness
• Health & Safety knowledge

If you don't tick every box — training and development will be provided.

This Role Involves

• Working with plants and crops
• Long periods of standing and walking
• Working as part of a supportive team

Why Join Vitacress?

• Structured training and development
• Opportunity to gain new skills
• Supportive team environment
• Work for a leading fresh produce business
• Career progression opportunities within a growing company

At Vitacress, many of our employees develop their careers and progress into more senior roles across the business.

Ready to Grow Your Career? If you're looking for a rewarding role where no two days are the same and where you can make a real contribution, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of the Vitacress team in Runcton!

Vitacress Herbs, based just outside historic Chichester, West Sussex, is a primary supplier of Herb and horticulture products in the UK. With our 23-acre site covered in specialist glass houses, we take immense pride in our work ensuring our consumers have a fresh, quality product to enhance their home cooking or garden environment. We take pleasure in ensuring the best possible standards 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 herbs that are grown on site; to the investment in facilities and the growth of the business; to growing and nurturing our talented employees, growing is truly at the heart of what we do. Join us and become a trusted partner in our business.