Head Grower Knepp Estate

Organic Growers Alliance; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days paid holiday

Pension

Free vegetables for personal consumption

Discounts in restaurant and shop

Job summary

Organic Growers Alliance seeks an experienced grower to lead operations at Knepp Market Garden, a unique organic vegetable production site. You'll collaborate with a small team to ensure successful crop management while promoting biodiversity and regenerative practices.

The role is permanent with a £30,000-£35,000 salary, depending on experience, and includes perks such as 28 days of paid holiday and opportunities for team leadership growth.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a diverse range of crops from propagation to harvest.
• Understanding of commercial cropping value for operational success.
• Ability to manage a small team with basic HR knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead all operations at the market garden site.
• Oversee team of four grower staff.
• Implement regenerative growing practices.

Skills

Commercial horticulture experience

Team management experience

IT proficiency

Attention to detail

Good communication skills

Tools

Xero

Workforce

Tractor and small-scale machinery

Job description

£30,000-£35,000 dependant on experience (with possibility of end of season bonus)

Permanent position, 40 hours per week with some weekend cover

Knepp Market Garden is a 3-acre, organic, commercial vegetable production growing for the on-site restaurant, shop, and a local wholesaler. The market garden is surrounded by the renowned 3,500 acre rewilding project that has been running for over 20 years. We reflect the principles of the rewilding project with regenerative growing practices, including use of cover cropping, living mulches and promoting biodiversity wherever we can.

We’re looking for an experienced grower to help lead on all aspects of the site operations. Our site is on heavy clay soil, which brings its own set of challenges, so familiarity with this soil type and a progressive approach to soil management is highly desirable.

The site has enjoyed a record year in 2025 with fantastic cropping, quality and profitability. Following this, planning work is under way for 2026 for 40 different crops but the successful individual will have the opportunity to present any significant changes for 2027 onwards if desired.

The growing team is four people strong and you will work alongside three existing team members. There is the potential for a co-head grower if the skills dovetail with existing team members and this is desired by the applicant.

Experience required

• Essential: experience of commercial horticulture with practical experience of propagation and managing a diverse range of crops through all stages of growth to harvest.
• Essential: an understanding of cropping for value and what it takes to make a commercial operation work.
• Essential: experience of managing a small team and an understanding of basic HR practices. Support available.
• Essential: comfortable with IT. We use Xero for invoicing; Workforce for logging hours and social media platforms for marketing. Training available.
• Desirable: experience with a tractor and a range of small-scale machinery.
• Desirable: experience collaborating with chefs and other routes to market.
• Desirable: experience managing SA organic certification.
• Desirable: experience growing and harvesting cut flowers.
• Desirable: experience working with volunteers and speaking to the public about growing practices.

Person specification

• Open-minded with a positive attitude towards working outdoors in all seasons.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a small team.
• Good observation, attention-to-detail, precision, and speed.
• Strong organisational skills, ability to self-manage and plan ahead.

Benefits: 28 days paid holiday, pension, statutory sick pay, staff yoga, pilates, free vegetables for personal consumption, free hot drinks, discounts in restaurant and shop

Accommodation possible to be negotiated separately