Assistant Grower
From horticruitment
We are excited to offer an opportunity to join our client a well-established horticultural business as a Nursery Assistant Grower. This full-time, hands-on role will be supporting the Growing Manager to cultivate crops across 9 hectares, meeting their customer requirements.
Ref: C771
Job Description:
As the Assistant Grower, you will support the Growing Manager by advising on crop work priorities and managing the pest and disease program, including planning and overseeing spray regimes to ensure cost-effective quality control. You will be responsible for accurate daily yield forecasting and communicating with stakeholders about any changes. You will drive high standards across crops, overseeing work programs, and maintaining accurate paperwork and records. You will ensure all relevant daily/weekly/monthly checks are completed in the Glasshouse and check and maintain Priva and excel worksheets to a high standard. You will hold the duty phone during office hours and monitor Priva inputs to ensure they are operating to target setpoints. You will be responsible for upholding health and safety standards, identifying training needs within the team, and helping to foster staff development. Weekend working will be required on a rotational basis.
Key Responsibilities
- Achieve forecasted production yields and quality levels within budgeted costs through effective crop and environmental management.
- Collaborate with the Operations team to deliver exceptional quality produce for both internal customers (Chichester packing facility) and external customers (retailers).
- Delivery of the yield budget: achieving quality, timeliness, and cost goals.
- Proactive pest and disease management through early identification and planned bio/spray applications.
- Successful completion of internal and external audits with accurate record-keeping.
- Maintenance of quality standards, including crop health, plant measurements, and spray programs.
- Adherence to health and safety regulations and ways of working.
- Sustaining a focus on team basics and attention to detail across all staff.
Required Skills
- Previous experience of growing salad produces e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers
- Understanding of crop standards and budget-focused cultivation (training can be provided if needed).
- Pest and disease knowledge and management strategies.
- Certifications: PA1, PA6, and First Aid (training can be provided).
- Previous supervisory experience would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of crop worker and harvesting requirements.
- Experience of using environmental growing equipment e.g. Priva
The ideal candidate will be a strong team player who excels at providing constructive feedback and fostering team growth. They will be effective communicator, capable of clearly articulating issues and opportunities across all levels of the organization. Passionate and knowledgeable about growing, they will inspire others with their dedication to producing the highest quality crops. With a keen eye for detail, they will ensure accuracy and consistency across processes, crops, and systems to meet and exceed customer expectations.
SALARY: up to £40,000 DOE
LOCATION: Durham, North Yorkshire
JOB No: C771
If this vacancy is of interest, please ‘Apply’ or contact Jay Rimell on 01233 732767 or email recruitment@horticruitment.com
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Thank you for your interest in this Assistant Grower role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.
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