Working Farm Manager
Ready to run a farm like it's your own back garden, with full autonomy, serious variety, and the chance to play a key role in maintaining one of the UK's most respected fruit-growing sites?
We're recruiting for a Working Farm Manager to take on a unique, long-term position managing specialist top- and stone-fruit orchards on behalf of a leading horticultural consultancy. This isn't commercial production, it's a role where quality, precision and long-term stewardship matter far more than volume. Think: proper, hands-on farming with purpose.
You'll be the person keeping the wheels turning, caring for orchards, protecting their longevity, and ensuring the site stays in peak condition for research, trials, DEFRA work and national collections. If you're the kind of farm manager who thrives outdoors in all weather, loves being trusted to get on with the job, and prefers a tractor seat to a desk chair, this one's for you.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll take full ownership of the day-to-day running of the site, planning and delivering all orchard operations with a blend of practical skill, smart decision-making and good old-fashioned graft.
You'll schedule, execute and oversee all key tasks including planting, grubbing, cultivation, irrigation, pest and disease control, machine maintenance and harvest activity. You'll keep the farm compliant, sustainable, safe and running like clockwork.
Most of the time, you'll be working solo (with occasional seasonal labour), so this role suits someone who's confident operating independently, managing their time and staying on top of both practical work and record-keeping.
We're Looking For Someone Who Is
An experienced top- and stone-fruit grower with deep hands-on orchard knowledgePA1/PA3/PA6 qualified (non-negotiable), PA2 qualified (desirable)Comfortable spending big chunks of the day on a tractor, including PTO equipmentSkilled in irrigation, orchard husbandry, IPM and long-term orchard maintenanceA natural self-starter who's used to working independently and managing a full workload aloneStrong on organisation, record-keeping, planning and compliancePhysically fit, weather-proof and happiest outdoorsBASIS/FACTS, forklift tickets or additional qualifications = a huge plusCalm under pressure, decisive, practical and solutions-focused, someone who just gets things done
This role needs a seasoned, confident, "seen-it-all" type fruit grower. Someone practical, resilient and ready to take charge of a site that requires real care and expertise.
What's In It For You?
Competitive salaryCompany vehicleLaptop & phoneAnnual salary reviewsA role with long-term security and room to develop as contracts expandThe chance to shadow the retiring Farm Manager, a highly experienced orchard specialist with 20+ years on siteA respected organisation behind you, but full autonomy day-to-dayWork that genuinely matters to the future of UK fruit growing
Interested?
If you're an experienced orchard professional looking for a role with freedom, responsibility and long-term stability, this could be the perfect next step.
For an informal chat, please call Emily on, email or message me on LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't up to date, just send what you have already, and we can sort the rest later.