Assistant Harvesting Manager
Location: Holme-upon-Spalding Moor, York
Hours: 5 out of 7 days per week (flexibility required including weekends and peak periods)
Salary: Competitive (full-time, permanent role)
Benefits:
* 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
* Overtime opportunities during peak periods
* Career development in a growing and supportive environment
* Pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
* Opportunity to influence key aspects of harvesting operations
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity to join a thriving, family-run food production business in a hands-on, operational leadership role. As the Assistant Harvesting Manager, you’ll support the Harvesting Manager in all aspects of running the harvesting department — from labour planning and training to quality control, performance management and cross-functional collaboration.
Your role will directly influence pick rates, product quality, team performance, and yield optimisation. You’ll be working closely with Harvesting Supervisors, Pickers, and other department managers, bringing leadership, structure, and innovation to daily operations.
Responsibilities
* Assist in the overall management of the harvesting department and cover for the Harvesting Manager as needed
* Deliver training, coaching and mentoring to pickers and supervisors to achieve daily pick rate targets
* Monitor crop readiness and coordinate staffing plans to align with yield forecasts
* Maintain high product standards, focusing on weights, sizing, stalk trimming, and punnet presentation
* Manage daily manpower planning, including agency coordination and recruitment planning
* Complete and maintain picker performance sheets and payroll input using Excel
* Ensure timely and effective communication with packhouse, growing, production, and engineering teams
* Participate in morning meetings and proactively plan people, yields, and hours for the following day
* Promote and monitor compliance with food safety, health & safety, and hygiene protocols
* Support the integration of safe systems of work and training plans for new workers
* Drive a strong team culture and ensure effective onboarding and development of new staff
* Investigate and resolve any safety, performance, or equipment-related issues promptly
* Champion continuous improvement and best practices across the department
* Contribute to Food Safety, HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP meetings and actions
* Support GMP and “clean as you go” housekeeping across growing areas
* Identify process improvements and implement solutions to maximise performance and efficiency
* Ensure records and work practices are compliant with FSA, food safety and H&S legislation
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a proactive and collaborative leader with a background in fresh produce or food manufacturing. You should have a strong focus on quality and people development, be confident in handling operational demands, and committed to continuous improvement.
Essential Requirements
* Fresh produce picking experience.
* Previous experience at a supervisory level on a Fresh Produce farm.
* Good communication skills & people management skills
* Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Good basic IT & Numerical skills
* Team player
Desirable (Not Essential)
* Previous experience as a Harvesting Manager in fresh produce industry.
* Advanced Food Hygiene Qualification.
* Degree level Education.
For more information, please contact Travis Townsend at Major Recruitment on 07771 707579 or Travistownsend@major-recruitment.com