Location: Castleton Farm, Fordoun, Aberdeenshire
Reports to: Managing Director
Type: Full-time, permanent
Overview
Castleton Fruit Ltd is a family-run business producing premium soft fruit for leading UK retailers. We take pride in growing high-quality berries through responsible, efficient, and forward-thinking farming practices.
We are looking for a Head of Packhouse Operations to lead all operational activity within our packhouse — overseeing production, quality, fulfilment, and logistics. This senior management role is central to the success of the business, ensuring that fruit moves seamlessly from field to customer while meeting the highest standards of quality, compliance, and efficiency.
The Head of Packhouse Operations will act as the main link between the farm’s growing operations and our retail customers, ensuring commercial objectives are met and that Castleton’s values of quality, integrity, and teamwork are maintained throughout the operation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
* Lead and oversee all daily operations within the Castleton packhouse, including production, fulfilment, quality, and despatch.
* Translate business and customer requirements into clear operational plans, ensuring products are packed to specification, on time, and within cost targets.
* Coordinate with the Growing and Commercial teams to align packhouse output with crop availability, orders, and customer demand.
* Monitor performance across production, quality, and logistics, ensuring consistent standards and continuous improvement.
Production & Efficiency
* Working with the Production Manager to ensuring throughput, accuracy, and adherence to specifications.
* Drive efficiency across shifts, managing downtime, yield, and waste performance.
* Support investment in automation and process improvement to enhance productivity and profitability.
* Work closely with engineering and maintenance teams to keep machinery and lines at optimal performance.
Quality & Compliance
* Lead the Quality Management team to maintain and improve food safety and quality systems.
* Ensure compliance with BRCGS, customer, and legal standards, keeping the site audit-ready at all times.
* Manage non-conformances and customer complaints through thorough investigation and corrective action.
* Promote a proactive food safety and continuous improvement culture across the site.
Supply Chain & Fulfilment
* Oversee all order management, inventory, and despatch operations.
* Manage stock control of packaging, fruit (fresh and frozen), and finished goods to ensure accurate traceability and minimal waste.
* Coordinate haulage and logistics, ensuring timely and cost-effective deliveries to depots and customers.
* Liaise with suppliers, hauliers, and the marketing cooperative to maintain a smooth, reliable supply chain.
* Monitor and control operational costs, ensuring efficiency across all departments.
People Leadership
* Lead, develop, and motivate a large, multi-national team across the packhouse departments.
* Build strong relationships with departmental leads (Quality, Production, Logistics) to ensure joined-up communication and teamwork.
* Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and maintain a positive working culture.
* Champion staff development and succession planning to strengthen the management team for future growth.
Continuous Improvement & Reporting
* Use KPI data to drive operational decisions and improvements in yield, cost, quality, and delivery performance.
* Identify and implement improvements in energy use, sustainability, and resource efficiency.
* Provide regular operational updates and reports to the Managing Director, highlighting risks, progress, and opportunities.
Skills & Experience
* Proven senior management experience in a packhouse, FMCG, or food manufacturing environment.
* Strong understanding of production, logistics, and quality control processes.
* Experience managing large, diverse teams across multiple functions.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
* Practical understanding of BRCGS, retailer audit standards, and food safety systems.
* Commercially minded, with experience managing costs, KPIs, and budgets.
* Analytical and decisive, with a focus on results and continuous improvement.
* Full UK driving licence required.
Working Environment
* Based full-time at Castleton Farm packhouse, Fordoun.
* Extended hours and weekend work will be required during peak seasons.
* On-site accommodation may be available for the right candidate.
About Castleton Fruit Ltd
Based in Fordoun, Aberdeenshire, Castleton is a leading soft fruit producer supplying the UK’s top retailers. We’re proud of our family values, our commitment to our people, and our focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation in everything we do.