Harvest Machine Operator

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd; Frating; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance: 3x basic salary to a1e

Employee Assistance Programme and BUPA

Annual leave 28 days

Learning and Development (L2–L7, other

Salary finance schemes

Recognition awards

Volunteer day

Job summary

Agrial Fresh Farms in Colchester, Essex, is seeking a Baby Leaf Harvest Machine Operator. You will operate harvesting machinery, support soil preparation and crop transport to packing and cooling areas, and uphold food safety and health-and-safety standards.

The role runs Monday to Friday with Saturday as required, 7am–6pm, and pays £13.20 per hour for up to 48 hours with overtime as agreed. We value teamwork and safe, efficient operations.

Qualifications

• A clean driving license is required.
• Understanding of small horticultural machinery is preferred.
• Experience operating a range of farm machinery is advantageous.
• Able to work as part of a team and assist when needed.
• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation is essential.

Responsibilities

• Operate horticultural machinery and harvesting equipment for baby‑leaf crops.
• Assist soil preparation or drilling when required.
• Transport harvested crops to packing and cooling facilities.
• Follow site rules and company procedures.
• Work in line with food safety requirements.
• Comply with health and safety regulations.
• Adhere to company policies on people management and conduct.

Skills

Clean driving license

Machinery knowledge

Farm machinery operation

Team player / leadership

Health and safety knowledge

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Baby Leaf Harvest Machine Operator to join our team at Agrial Fresh Farms, producer of the Florette Salad brand, in Colchester, CO7 7HG.

A hands‑on role responsible for operating and maintaining horticultural and harvesting machinery, supporting soil preparation and crop harvesting, and transporting crops to packing and cooling facilities. The role requires good teamwork, machinery knowledge, a strong focus on health and safety, and ensuring equipment is clean, safe and ready for use.

Working hours: Monday to Friday (Saturday as required) 7am-6pm

Pay: £13.20 up to 48 hours then Overtime as agreed

Main Responsibilities

• Operating horticultural machinery and harvesting equipment for baby‑leaf crops.
• Helping prepare soil for planting or drilling when required.
• Transporting harvested crops to the packing and cooling facilities.
• Following all site rules and company procedures.
• Working in accordance with food‑safety requirements.
• Complying with legal and statutory health-and-safety requirements.
• Following company procedures relating to people management and workplace conduct.

Skills And Experience Required

• A clean driving license.
• An understanding of small horticultural machinery.
• Previous experience in the operation of a range of farm machinery.
• The ability to work as part of a team to take the lead where necessary.
• A good knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Benefits

An annual/hourly salary of £13.20 per hour, and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:

• Life Assurance: 3x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
• Employee Assistance Programme and BUPA: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues, as well as access to BUPA Membership.
• Annual leave entitlement: 28 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as the option to purchase up to 2 additional working weeks of holiday per annum.
• Learning and Development: Personalised induction and regular learning and development courses and schemes: From L2 to L7 Funded Apprenticeships, Leadership Development Programme, First‑Aid and MHFA Training, and many more!
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers and access to salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
• Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and much more!

About Us

Agrial Fresh Farms is one of three UK food manufacturing sites within Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, which is an autonomous part of the larger 17,500 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial.

Our Agrial Fresh Farms site is an integrated farming operation based in Colchester, Essex. The salad farm provides baby leaf year‑round to the UK, grown in polytunnels, and whole head and outdoor crops throughout the summer. The produce is supplied into both of our 2 UK manufacturing sites for processing and distribution, which is then ready to be sold in your favourite supermarkets, fast‑food establishments, and restaurants! The business is more recognisable in the UK by its Florette salad brand and we are now one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry.

Agrial has operations across 11 countries, with 100 industrial sites, and a 2024 turnover of €7.1bn across 5 food divisions which comprise of Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce! All UK sites operate under the name of Agrial Fresh Produce Limited and fall under Agrial's vegetable division. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team. In total, we sell on average around 600,000kg of products every week - an unbe‑leaf‑able amount!

VISA Sponsorship: This role is only open to applicants who have the permanent right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide or take over visa sponsorship, either now or in the future. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ongoing eligibility to work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.