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Commercial Grower

Employer
Growing Well
Location
Kendal, Cumbria
Salary
£22k-£24k depending on experience
Closing date
1 Aug 2020

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Grower Jobs
Sector
Charity & Voluntary, Growing

Growing Well is a farm-based mental health charity near Kendal, based on a Soil Association accredited organic farm that provides “crop share” vegetable box scheme to up to 100 local households as well as supplying retail and catering outlets. The farm is key to our charity as it provides a safe, supportive working environment to nurture mental health recovery. Growing Well works with people on a weekly basis, sometimes over years, to help rebuild a sense of purpose, to engage in meaningful and fulfilling activity and to build hope for the future.

The role of the Commercial Grower is to:

  • Lead the commercial growing arm of our Organic Farm so that we can guarantee the maximum commercial return from our varied horticultural supported work base.
  • Lead on crop planning to deliver six acres of field-scale intensive horticulture and polytunnel cultivation
  • Ensure that at all times our site is safe, productive, excellently maintained and efficiently run.
  • To work with our Field Manager to provide a varied horticultural environment for our beneficiaries and students to work within and learn from.
  • Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to create a culture of respect, inclusion and security.

    Key responsibilities

    Commercial growing:

  • Undertaking all aspects of husbandry and production including preparation, growing and harvesting
  • Lead on and collaborate in the planning of our annual growing activity to ensure:
  • There is enough variety and volume of crop yield to satisfy our commercial commitment to our current wholesale and retail customers
  • There is opportunity to expand and further commercialise our production immediately and over time, through successful and relevant negotiations with suppliers and buyers
  • The balance of crops provides sufficient and varied vocational fieldwork for volunteers
  • The field meets the required standard to host our accredited horticultural training centre, so that course candidates can complete all of their vocational training on site
  • There is a daily supply of fresh produce to our catering team, for the production of volunteer lunches
  • Infrastructure for processing, storage and transport of produce is planned and sufficient
  • All resources required in order for the above to be achieved are budgeted for, ordered and used in an appropriate and timely manner.
  • Ensure our prices for wholesale and retail are benchmarked, regularly, against national averages for Organic produce
  • Uphold or implement pest, disease and weed control programmes commensurate with hygiene, health and Organic standards
  • Investigate technical and business problems and formulate solutions collaboratively
  • Keep up to date in your specialist area and in developments in the whole horticultural sector
  • Supply the development and marketing function with all necessary detail in a timely manner so that our crops can be marketed and promoted.
  • Manage the Grower, setting clear expectations and targets, and nurturing the development of organic, horticultural practice.
  • Governance

  • Ensure total compliance with Soil Association Organic standards
  • Contribute, continually, to the Growing Well Risk Register and Health and Safety Plan. This includes risk assessing the field (and all associated buildings/equipment) to ensure a safe working environment for staff and volunteers, and notifying line manager of any site maintenance or investment required
  • First Aid, Safeguarding and Risk training in order to work safely amongst our beneficiaries, as a key part of a small staff team.
  • Finance

  • Provide detailed expenditure and forecasted income information to the Growing Working Group, Finance Officer and CEO, when required.
  • Prepare a live plan (including contingency planning) and annual budget for all production horticulture activity, for approval by the Growing Working Group.
  • Analyse yields, operational costs and financial returns of horticultural operations
  • Operate within the annual budget and work with Finance Officer to report accurate financial information to the Board.
  • Ensure that information is timely and accessible, and that all funding is correctly allocated and reported on.
  • Maintain awareness of risks and changes in the external environment that affect the organisation
  • Board, staff, volunteers and customers

  • Understand any work sympathetically within the context of a unique mental health charity, working alongside our beneficiaries. Build and maintain an effective collaborative relationship with the Field Manager to ensure the needs of beneficiaries are prioritised.
  • Supply regular updates and reports on progress to the Board of Trustees, the Growing Working Group and at staff and volunteer meetings
  • Communicating effectively with customers, working colleagues and professional groups, both orally and in writing, through briefings, reports and presentation

 

  • PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications - Essential

Tractor driving experience

 

Qualifications - desirable

Professional qualification in production horticulture / commercial planning / crop and plant science / soil science / organic production

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Experience - Essential

3+ years’ practical experience of commercial (organic) production horticulture / market gardening, including field-scale and polytunnel horticulture

3+ years’ experience of commercial growing planning

Financial management

Experience - desirable

Management experience

Organic Standards and practice

Supply chain / logistics

Previous transferable work or personal experience of working with people with mental health needs

Understanding of risk assessment and management

Knowledge - Essential

Organic horticultural production and pest/weed control practices

Skills and Aptitudes - Essential

A high standard of written and oral communication skills

Excellent problem solving ability

Proficient in Word, Excel and database management

Health, safety and risk awareness

Ability to work autonomously

Financial awareness

Skills and aptitudes - desirable

Management skills

Personal - Essential

Passionate about horticulture

Excellent personal organisation skills

Physical fitness and the ability to work in physically demanding environments

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Willingness to think about and change practices in light of beneficiaries needs

Highly motivated and self-driven

Commitment to upholding a strengths-based culture

Willingness to work flexibly

Other requirements - Essential

DBS

Promote Equality and Diversity

   

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