Irrigation Team Leader

Ethero; England; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural business in the United Kingdom is seeking an Irrigation Team Leader to manage automated and manual irrigation systems across various crops. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in irrigation management, strong leadership, and communication skills, as well as proficiency in relevant applications. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £45,000 with additional benefits, emphasizing a collaborative environment for innovative practices in agriculture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing irrigation systems, ideally with both soft and stone fruit.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, multilingual experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage automated and manual irrigation systems across crops.
• Implement and monitor fertigation programs to meet hydration needs.
• Conduct inspections, maintenance, and repairs of irrigation infrastructure.

Skills

Managing irrigation systems

Leadership

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Tools

Priva Irrigation Systems

Harvest Manager Farm Production System

Muddy Boots Farm Management Software

Job description

Irrigation Team Leader

Up to £45,000 plus on site accommodation or deposit for new rental property if out of area and benefits

Staffordshire operation based

Following a period of extensive growth and with further expansion planned this year, this award winning and diverse fruit farming business are looking to add to their management team of someone who is a hands‑on leader.

Duties

• Manage the automated and manual irrigation systems (drip systems, sprinklers, etc.) to meet specific plant hydration needs across all crops
• Implement and monitor agreed‑upon fertigation (fertilizer application through irrigation) programs, including managing Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH levels.
• Conduct regular inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs of all irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, valves, filters, and lines to ensure continuous and optimal operation.
• Perform daily crop walks and soil moisture tests to monitor plant health and evaluate crop response to irrigation and fertilizer applications, adjusting schedules as needed based on climatic conditions and plant growth stage.
• Manage, train, and supervise a team of irrigation technicians and general farm workers, developing work schedules and ensuring all procedures are followed.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all irrigation activities, water usage, maintenance logs, and inputs.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, health & safety, and biosecurity procedures, maintaining audit‑ready documentation.
• Take ownership of new irrigation projects and work with the wider management team to drive improvements in productivity, quality, and sustainability.

To be considered for this role you MUST

• Proven experience in managing irrigation systems, ideally with both soft and stone fruit.
• Experience of Priva Irrigation Systems
• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and communication skills (multilingual team experience a plus)
• Passionate about agriculture, innovation, and delivering excellence.
• Ability to work weekends and overtime during the growing season.
• Positive, proactive, eager to learn with a Can‑Do attitude.
• Proficient with core applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

If you also have PA1, PA2a, PA3a, PA6, have experience of Harvest Manager Farm Production System and Muddy Boots Farm Management Software, this would be a real advantage to you. If you have experience of Priva Irrigation Systems, that would be even better.

This role is UK based and does NOT have sponsorship opportunity

Our process is barrier free and we will ensure you are carefully considered for the role you have applied for. If you have not been successful for this role, please do apply to others or send your CV to (url removed) with a cover letter explaining what you are looking for and we will do our best to support your search for new employment.

This role is being advertised by the Telford office of Ethero, where you will find access to both permanent and temporary employment across a wide range of job sectors covering the whole of Shropshire. We also have offices in Stoke & Burton. To find out more, go to (url removed)