We’re looking for an experienced Irrigation Manager to lead the planning, operation and continuous improvement of irrigation across our large-scale vegetable farming operation.
Reporting to the relevant Farm Director, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our crops receive the right water and nutrient applications to maximise yield, quality and sustainability. You’ll oversee our irrigation infrastructure, lead a dedicated team, and work closely with Agronomy, Production and Engineering teams to optimise water use, improve system performance and support the delivery of high-quality crops.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong technical knowledge, leadership skills and a passion for modern agriculture to make a real impact within one of the UK’s leading fresh produce businesses.
What You’ll Be Doing
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Develop and manage irrigation programmes based on crop requirements, soil moisture, weather conditions and agronomic recommendations.
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Monitor and optimise water usage to maximise crop performance, quality and resource efficiency.
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Oversee the operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, reservoirs, pipelines, filtration, automated systems and fertigation equipment.
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Manage water abstraction, storage and distribution while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and water licences.
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Lead, coach and develop the irrigation team, planning workloads and supporting continuous improvement.
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Analyse irrigation data, soil moisture monitoring and telemetry to improve system performance and efficiency.
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Coordinate preventative maintenance programmes, contractor activities and accurate operational reporting.
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Ensure all irrigation activities comply with health, safety, environmental and food safety standards.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For
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Degree, diploma or equivalent qualification in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Technology, Agronomy or a related discipline.
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At least 5 years’ experience managing irrigation systems within commercial vegetable, horticultural or large-scale farming operations.
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Experience managing irrigation systems within commercial vegetable, horticultural or large-scale farming operations.
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Strong knowledge of irrigation scheduling, crop water requirements, fertigation and water management.
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Experience with irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, filtration systems and automated controls.
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Proven leadership skills with experience managing teams and contractors.
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Excellent planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
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Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and irrigation management software.
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A proactive, continuous improvement mindset with a passion for sustainable farming.
Technical Experience
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Irrigation scheduling, water management and fertigation systems.
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Drip irrigation, pump stations, reservoirs, filtration and distribution systems.