Strawberry Crop Production Lead

Keelings; Saint Margaret’s; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount at Keelings Farm Shop

Free on-site parking with access to EV

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Keelings, a 100% Irish-owned family business, is seeking a Crop Production Manager to lead the entire crop production cycle from planning to harvest. You will drive high-quality, sustainable yields, manage crop programmes, and ensure compliance with food safety and environmental standards.

Based in Ireland with a focus on strawberries/softfruits, you will collaborate with QA, agronomy, and operations teams, test new varieties with R&D, and implement innovative pest management and reporting

Qualifications

• 3 years' experience in the growth of Strawberries/Softfruits.
• Experience in leading and managing teams.
• Ability to build and manage relationships both internally and externally.
• Commercially minded and results driven.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Be able to perform well under pressure in an ever-changing environment.
• Highly accurate and fine attention to detail essential.
• Experience in IPM (Integrated Pest Management) management experience.
• Candidates must speak fluent English. Additional language skills would also be desirable.

Responsibilities

• To manage all stages of crop production to produce a high yield of top-quality, marketable fruit.
• Management of the crop through ordering, delivery, planting of crops in line with the Growing programme.
• Monitor and analyse crop performance, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on crop predictions and crop health.
• Deliver cost effective crop management strategies, to achieve production targets in line with set KPI's and budgets.
• Ensure that sustainable agricultural practices are observed throughout production crop systems.
• Ensure that crops are managed in accordance with food safety legislation, environmental legislation and appropriate accreditation body standards.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance/Agronomy and Operations teams to ensure consistent product quality.
• Work with the R&D team to test and explore new strawberry plant varieties.
• Keep up to date with new innovations i.e. pest and disease monitoring, data gathering and recording of such data.
• Support the implementation of risk management strategies within your area of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines and regulations whilst prioritizing colleague well-being; cultivate a culture of accountability and excellence organization wide.

Skills

Strawberry/softfruit cultivation

Team leadership

Relationship management

Commercial mindset

Communication skills

Resilience under pressure

Attention to detail

IPM experience

Fluent English

Education

Agricultural Science degree

Job description

Keelings, a 100% Irish-owned family business, is seeking a Crop Production Manager to lead the entire crop production cycle from planning to harvest. You will drive high-quality, sustainable yields, manage crop programmes, and ensure compliance with food safety and environmental standards.

Based in Ireland with a focus on strawberries/softfruits, you will collaborate with QA, agronomy, and operations teams, test new varieties with R&D, and implement innovative pest management and reporting