Crop Manager - Help Build the Future of Sustainable Farming
Preston, Lancashire | Full-time | £28,000 - £45,000
Tired of running the same cycles year after year? Want to take your farming skills and machinery know-how into something that could change agriculture for good?
We're working with an ambitious, eco-driven business that's taking a completely fresh approach to farming. Using years of proven research and some smart technology, they're now moving a novel, environmentally beneficial crop from greenhouse trials into full field production. And they need a practical, farm-minded project manager to help make it happen.
The Role
This is a hands-on, field-based role - more boots and tractors than clipboards and spreadsheets. You'll be leading the rollout of a new growing system, taking it from test plots into larger-scale production. That means planning and managing the work, but also getting directly involved: setting up equipment, working with growers, solving problems on the ground, and making sure the system works in real farming conditions.
You'll be the bridge between the science team and the soil - turning ideas into workable, reliable, farm-ready processes.
What You'll Be Doing
Running the project day to day: crop planning, scheduling, and hands-on management
Developing and improving practical methods for planting, irrigation, harvesting and processing
Making sure operations run smoothly, on time and on budget
Getting stuck in with kit set-up, maintenance and troubleshooting when needed
Reporting progress to both the internal team and project funders
Attending partner meetings and knowledge-sharing sessions
Working with R&D colleagues to trial new machinery, methods, and sustainable technologies
Helping shape how this farm system grows over the next 6-12 months and beyond
You'll Thrive in This Role If You:
Have solid farming experience and a good head for machinery and systems
Are comfortable leading field operations and making things work in practice
Enjoy problem-solving and aren't afraid to roll up your sleeves
Are self-sufficient and confident working independently
Bonus Points For:
Experience with specialist or non-standard crops
Knowledge of irrigation, soil health, or agronomy
Interest in sustainable farming technology and agricultural machinery innovation
The ambition to lead a small team as the project scales
Why Join?
You'll be part of something genuinely different, with the potential for real environmental impact
You'll work with a supportive, forward-thinking team backed by years of R&D
The business is scaling fast - in a few years, this project will look completely different, and you'll have played a big part in building itInterested? For an informal chat, please call Emily on (phone number removed), email (url removed) 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