Growing Operative (Agronomy)

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About the Role

Vitacress are now recruiting for the position of Growing Operative.This is a key role within Vitacress Herbs as your contribution will enable the safe and efficient production of high quality finished goods that meet the specific customer requirements.

Please note that Basic Food Hygiene and Manual Handling training in a Growing Operative role is required. In addition, this role involves standing for long periods and working in a warehouse environment with loud machinery. There is also scope for progression throughout the company once established in the role.

Your Duties

Reporting to the Assistant Crop Manager, your duties will include:

• Employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by employees’ actions at work. Employees must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.
• To maintain the highest level of workmanship, ensuring good plant health and quality.
• To follow all hygiene procedures.
• To carry out the duties that maximise quality and quantity of the crops.
• To carry out all operational tasks safely, accurately and consistently.
• To ensure the sowings of seeds and spacing of crops are completed accurately to the standards instructed by the Management Team.
• To monitor and report immediately any signs of pest, disease and disorders on the crop.
• To ensure irrigation is applied to the crops to the standard set out by the Growing Manager/Assist Crop Manager/Team Leaders.
• To accurately and safely mix feed to the recipe provided by the Management.
• To operate machinery safely and accurately and report any equipment and structural faults.
• To apply biological control agents as directed by the Management Team in a uniform, accurate and timely method.
• Ensure all records are completed on time, are accurate and clearly readable.
• Move benches of plants around the system, from sowing through to packing.
• Operate bench washing machine.
• To be responsible for self-development on a continuous basis, undergoing training as required.
• Effectively manage and control waste to a minimum within the production units and to ensure all plastic & cardboard is recycled on site.
• Effectively maintain all standards of the production units in line with audit requirements.
• To take part and promote Business Initiative Techniques (BIT).
• Complete/assist with any other tasks that may arise from time to time.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience within Horticulture
• A qualification in food hygiene
• Ability to work with a wide range of people and departments
• Good communication skills

Benefits:

• 33 days’ holiday (inclusive of all Bank Holidays)
• Training opportunities
• Exclusive use of our Company discount site
• Life assurance policy
• Free parking on site
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company Pension
• Great development opportunities

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Permanent

Pay: From £19,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Employee discount
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

COVID-19 considerations:
In order to adhere to safety regulations put in place by the business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be required to interview remotely (e.g. the use of Microsoft Teams or Microsoft Zoom) for the position, rather than to come on-site.

Application question(s):

• Have you received basic Food Hygiene and Manual Handling training in a prior Growing Operative role?

Experience:

• Horticultural: 1 year (preferred)

Work remotely:

• No