Grower Position - Commercial Strawberry Farm
The Grower role is responsible for leading daily horticultural operations within the Berry Farm. The position oversees berry crop management from plant establishment through harvest, ensuring optimal growing conditions, efficient resource use, on-farm SOPs, and consistent, high-quality fruit production.
This is a hands-on role that combines technical horticultural expertise with some people supervision. The Grower supports the Site Manager by planning and monitoring daily growing activities, training staff, and ensuring safe, productive, and compliant farm operations.
Skills & Experience
Crop Management:
The primary responsibility is to monitor crop health and performance throughout the entire growth cycle, from planting to harvest. This involves supervising irrigation schedules, fertigation, pest control, and disease management. It's crucial to document and report on crop data, yield outcomes, and environmental factors to assess performance.
Nutrient plans and irrigation schedules must be customised based on current growing conditions to optimise crop yields. Collaboration with contractors and suppliers is essential for ongoing maintenance, resource management, and obtaining technical assistance.
Additionally, implementing quality assurance and food safety standards is a key component of the role. It’s important to maintain the site to ensure it is safe, well-maintained, and professionally presented at all times.
Data & Technology:
The management process incorporates a variety of tools, including Dataphyll, Autogrow, tracking spreadsheets, laboratory services, moisture-tracking systems, weather stations, Starlink for connectivity, MS Teams for communication, and the complete Microsoft Suite for documentation and analysis. Schedules for irrigation, fertigation, pest control, and disease management.
Document and report on crop data, yield outcomes, and environmental factors.
Ensure nutrient plans and irrigation schedules are tailored to current growing conditions.
Collaborate with contractors and suppliers for maintenance, resources, and technical assistance.
Assist in implementing quality assurance and food safety standards.
Maintain the site to ensure it is safe, well-kept, and presented professionally at all times.
Essential Skills
Practical experience in horticulture, ideally berry or hydroponic systems
Strong understanding of irrigation, nutrition, pest, and disease control
Growsafe certification
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Desirable Skills
Horticultural qualification or equivalent training
Proven supervisory or team leadership experience
Experience with Autogrow or similar irrigation/fertigation systems
Organised and proactive with attention to detail
First Aid certificate
Report Writing: Monthly reports to the GM Commercial on the Operation
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
