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: £40,000 (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 in 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 a fresh produce industry.
Advanced Food Hygiene Qualification.
Degree level Education.

For more information, please contact Travis Townsend at Major Recruitment on (phone number removed) or (url removed)

INDTW