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Agricultural Recruitment Specialists; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is seeking an experienced Packhouse Manager for a busy soft fruit packing operation in the Berkshire/Surrey area. This hands-on leadership role oversees day-to-day packhouse activity and a large seasonal workforce to maintain quality, efficiency and productivity.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage labour planning, quality, food safety and traceability, and work closely with growing, technical, logistics and commercial teams to deliver excellent

Qualifications

• Minimum NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or equivalent qualification relevant to the role.
• Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a large seasonal workforce, including training, performance and attendance.
• Plan labour and production requirements to meet seasonal demand.
• Maintain high standards of quality, food safety, traceability and customer requirements.
• Monitor productivity, waste and operational efficiency.
• Work closely with growing, technical, logistics and commercial teams.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Manage operational issues and problem solve effectively during busy periods.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Strong communication

Problem solving

Labour planning

Education

NVQ Level 2

Scottish NVQ Level 2

Job description

The Job:

We are recruiting for an experienced Packhouse Manager to join a successful and progressive soft fruit business in the Berkshire/Surrey area. This is a hands‑on management role with responsibility for the day-to-day running of a busy, high-volume packhouse and a large seasonal workforce. You will play a key role in maintaining quality, efficiency and productivity throughout the operation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a large seasonal workforce, including training, performance and attendance
• Plan labour and production requirements to meet seasonal demand
• Maintain high standards of quality, food safety, traceability and customer requirements
• Monitor productivity, waste and operational efficiency
• Work closely with growing, technical, logistics and commercial teams
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement
• Manage operational issues and problem solve effectively during busy periods

The Company:

An established and progressive soft fruit business producing and packing high-quality fresh produce, with a strong focus on quality, efficiency and continuous improvement.

The Candidate

• Proven experience managing a busy packhouse operation, ideally within fresh produce, horticulture or FMCG
• Experience managing a large seasonal workforce with strong leadership and people-management skills
• Good understanding of fresh produce quality, food safety and traceability requirements
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Able to work effectively under pressure during peak seasonal periods
• Excellent communicator with a hands‑on and proactive approach
• Minimum NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification relevant to the role
• Must have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment

The Package

• Salary £45,000 per annum DOE
• Senior role with genuine responsibility and autonomy
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on operational performance within a growing soft fruit business

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.