Production Manager - Chichester - £38,000–£44,000 + Bonus + Benefits

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Chichester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd is seeking a Production Manager in Chichester to lead a large-scale operation with a seasonal workforce. You will oversee planning, people management, cost control and daily production targets to ensure timely harvest output.

Experience in fresh produce or perishable product environments, managing 150+ workers and supervising Team Leaders, is highly valued. NVQ Level 2 or equivalent is required, and UK work eligibility must be confirmed.

Qualifications

• Experience managing large teams in a fast-paced, perishable product environment.
• Ability to plan operations several weeks in advance and manage costs.
• Strong leadership and developmental skills for supervisors/team leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a workforce of ~500 seasonal workers and 30 Team Leaders.
• Plan labour and harvesting requirements around 5 weeks in advance.
• Set, monitor and drive daily production and harvesting targets.

Skills

People management

Planning

Budget awareness

Education

NVQ Level 2

Scottish NVQ Level 2

Job description

Production Manager - Chichester - £38,000–£44,000 + Bonus+ Benefits

This is a large scale operational management role focused on people management, forward planning, cost and target management, and maintaining daily production output. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a workforce of approximately 500 seasonal workers and 30 Team Leaders, ensuring daily harvesting targets are achieved and the operation remains on schedule throughout the season. This role would suit an experienced manager from fresh produce, food production, agriculture, horticulture or another fast paced environment involving perishable products and large workforces.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage approximately 500 seasonal workers and 30 Team Leaders
• Plan labour and harvesting requirements around 5 weeks in advance
• Set and monitor daily production and harvesting targets
• Ensure daily output remains on schedule throughout the season
• Manage labour costs, productivity and operational budgets
• Monitor performance and take action where targets are falling behind
• Lead, support and develop Team Leaders and supervisors
• Coordinate labour and resources to meet changing operational requirements
• Work within strict timeframes due to the short shelf life of the product
• Monitor product quality and ensure harvesting/production is completed at the appropriate time
• Manage operational challenges caused by weather, temperature and seasonal conditions
• Maintain accurate records and reporting
• Ensure health & safety, quality and operational standards are maintained

The Company

Our client is a successful and growing commercial agricultural business with a large seasonal workforce and a strong focus on productivity, quality and operational efficiency. The role offers the opportunity to take significant responsibility for a large-scale operation where planning, people management and achieving daily targets are critical to success.

The Candidate

• Experience managing large teams, ideally 150+ workers. Experience managing supervisors/team leaders is highly desirable
• Planning operations several weeks in advance, managing costs and resources, and ensuring daily production targets are consistently achieved.
• Perishable product understanding, experience working with products that have a short shelf life and require careful timing, handling, storage or climate/environmental control.

Experience could come from a wide range of sectors, including:

• Fresh produce
• Soft fruit or top fruit
• Vegetables
• Greenhouse production
• Food production
• Meat or poultry
• Dairy
• Vineyards
• Flowers/horticulture
• Other high-volume, perishable product environments

The actual product background is less important than having the right scale of management and operational experience.

The Package

• Salary£38,000–£44,000 DOE, potential to go slightly higher for the right candidate

Candidate Requirements

All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.