Market Gardener Job Description
Day-to-day duties include all aspects of growing, from seeding, maintenance, harvesting, washing, packing, weeding, delivery, and seed saving and all related paperwork and reporting.
You should be comfortable to take the lead on growing, logistics, delivery, driving the business forward, and to work on both short and long-term planning with the SPTL team.
This is a physical role based significantly outdoors (more than 50%) throughout the seasons. Therefore the ideal candidate must be comfortable working in all weather conditions and be physically fit to do so.
As the Market Gardener, some of the duties you will be involved in will include:
- Ordering required materials, such as seeds, compost, etc
- Propagation from seed, cuttings etc
- Ground preparation for planting
- Contributing to the development and maintenance of crops
- Planting and aftercare of crops
- Harvesting, cleaning, and packing of crops
- Developing an annual crop plan
- Maintaining all HACCP Risk Assessment, and Health & Safety records as required by UK government standards and requirements
- Providing suitable records to the Soil Association in line with their standards for 'organic' status
- Maintaining financial records of purchases for use in the market garden and in the polytunnel
- Operating machinery (where required & if trained/certified to do so)
- Soils and environmental care, testing and data collection
Key duties and responsibilities
Crop planning: Develop crop plans with input from Market Garden licensee partner. Crop plans should be adaptable according to the weather, seed availability, and licensee partner/chef's direction. Create sowing / harvest and all crop plans.
Growing: Manage all aspects of seed propagation, planting, bed preparation, weed management, pest and disease management (organic), crop care, pruning, irrigation, fertility, tool care, and harvesting. Manage polytunnel soil health and growing, using experience/understanding of composting.
Risk Management: Develop required HACCP plans and other health and safety documentation as needed. Communicate all risk management plans with SPTL team and SPTL licensees to ensure awareness and correct implementation of process. Provide immediate feedback on risk management process where needed.
Record Keeping/Administration: Maintain all records from sowing and planting dates to crop records. Maintain detailed records of plant health, fertilisation schedules, maintenance activities, and harvest yields by Licensee. Manage seed harvesting and ordering of operational supplies. If required, be responsible for Organic certification documentation and for ensuring the Organic inspections are carried out for the garden.
Logistics: Manage order sheets, invoices, and stores of compost, seeds, harvesting stores and more. Assist in the preparation for delivery of vegetables to London, as well as coordinating the collection of vegetables by licensee partners. As needed, organise team members/volunteers to work in the Market Garden.
Budgeting: Maintain excellent written records of all ordering, invoicing, and tracking expenses to a defined budget. Work with the SPTL accountant and Principal to create and update the Market Garden budget year on year.
Maintenance: Manage and repair the Market Garden equipment to include any irrigation systems, machinery and tools as needed. Manage polytunnel cleaning, repairs and maintenance in a timely manner.
Marketing: Work with SPTL principal to share the Market Garden opportunity with potential partners.
Communication: A strong ability to communicate effectively is essential. This includes an ability to listen and to ask clarification questions as needed to avoid confusion.
Organization: Complete reports in a timely manner. Plan ahead.
Flexibility: Have a willingness to change direction as needed and requested by the business and to follow the guidance of the team as instructed.
Other: Other required duties and responsibilities of this role may be further defined and added to this description from time to time by SPTL as the needs of the business requires.
Required Skills
- Flexibility around weekend working is required
- Willingness to ask questions
- Proven experience leading a team and demonstrating strong communication and coordination skills
- Confident in crop planning, seed ordering, and record keeping
- Knowledge and familiarity with diverse, seasonal produce, from a propagation, growing, and harvesting perspective
- Willingness to work in a physical, mostly outdoor-based role in a variety of weather conditions
- Full, clean UK driving license and access to own vehicle due to rural location
- Horticultural or soil science qualification highly desired.
Desirable Skills
- Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 kilograms on a daily basis
- Ability to work flexible hours during the main growing season
- Ability to use the tractor and other machinery and tools
The role is full-time
Pay: £30,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Do you have five or more years of diverse vegetable propagation experience?
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- drivers license (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
