Irrigation Manager

Barfoots

Bognor Regis

On-site

GBP 55,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Investors In People Silver Award

24/7 On-line GP

Company pension scheme

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Program

Benefits Platform

Development opportunities

Discounted vegetable box scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Free onsite parking

Highfield qualifications training

Sustainability initiatives

Job summary

Barfoots is seeking an experienced Irrigation Manager to lead planning, operation and continuous improvement of irrigation across a large-scale vegetable farming operation in the UK. You will ensure crops receive optimal water and nutrient applications, maximise yield and sustainability, and work with Agronomy, Production and Engineering teams to optimise water use and system performance.

You will oversee irrigation infrastructure, lead a dedicated team, and drive continuous improvement with a

Qualifications

Degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Technology, Agronomy or a related discipline.
At least 5 years' experience managing irrigation systems within commercial vegetable, horticultural or large-scale farming operations.
Strong knowledge of irrigation scheduling, crop water requirements, fertigation and water management.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage irrigation programmes based on crop requirements, soil moisture, weather conditions and agronomic recommendations.
Monitor and optimise water usage to maximise crop performance, quality and resource efficiency.
Oversee the operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, reservoirs, pipelines, filtration, automated systems and fertigation equipment.
Manage water abstraction, storage and distribution while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and water licences.
Lead, coach and develop the irrigation team, planning workloads and supporting continuous improvement.
Analyse irrigation data, soil moisture monitoring and telemetry to improve system performance and efficiency.
Coordinate preventative maintenance programmes, contractor activities and accurate operational reporting.
Ensure all irrigation activities comply with health, safety, environmental and food safety standards.

Skills

Irrigation scheduling

Water management

Fertigation

Team leadership

Project planning

Problem-solving

IT skills

Continuous improvement

Agronomy knowledge

Education

Degree in Agriculture

Tools

Irrigation software

Telemetry systems

Automation controls

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Irrigation Manager to lead the planning, operation and continuous improvement of irrigation across our large-scale vegetable farming operation.

Reporting to the relevant Farm Director, you'll play a key role in ensuring our crops receive the right water and nutrient applications to maximise yield, quality and sustainability. You'll oversee our irrigation infrastructure, lead a dedicated team, and work closely with Agronomy, Production and Engineering teams to optimise water use, improve system performance and support the delivery of high-quality crops.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong technical knowledge, leadership skills and a passion for modern agriculture to make a real impact within one of the UK's leading fresh produce businesses.

What You'll Be Doing

Develop and manage irrigation programmes based on crop requirements, soil moisture, weather conditions and agronomic recommendations.
Monitor and optimise water usage to maximise crop performance, quality and resource efficiency.
Oversee the operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, reservoirs, pipelines, filtration, automated systems and fertigation equipment.
Manage water abstraction, storage and distribution while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and water licences.
Lead, coach and develop the irrigation team, planning workloads and supporting continuous improvement.
Analyse irrigation data, soil moisture monitoring and telemetry to improve system performance and efficiency.
Coordinate preventative maintenance programmes, contractor activities and accurate operational reporting.
Ensure all irrigation activities comply with health, safety, environmental and food safety standards.

Requirements

Degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Technology, Agronomy or a related discipline.
At least 5 years' experience managing irrigation systems within commercial vegetable, horticultural or large-scale farming operations
Experience managing irrigation systems within commercial vegetable, horticultural or large-scale farming operations.
Strong knowledge of irrigation scheduling, crop water requirements, fertigation and water management.
Experience with irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, filtration systems and automated controls.
Proven leadership skills with experience managing teams and contractors.
Excellent planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and irrigation management software.
A proactive, continuous improvement mindset with a passion for sustainable farming.

Technical Experience

Irrigation scheduling, water management and fertigation systems.
Drip irrigation, pump stations, reservoirs, filtration and distribution systems.
Automated irrigation controls, telemetry, soil moisture sensors and weather monitoring technology.
Water abstraction, environmental compliance and resource management.
Preventative maintenance, asset management and performance reporting

Benefits

Why work for Barfoots?