Job description
THE ROLE
The main purpose of this role will be planning and managing delivery of best practice, efficient farming operations across all Sussex land. This will include management and liaison across contract farming arrangements and regular external customer liaison with third party partners.
The role will be responsible for planning and conducting operations with regular cost centre reviews across the Farming Business Unit ensuring efficiency and profitability. In addition the role requires managing and recording accurate data on performance to support business development in conjunction with the CEO.
The role will coordinate the arable team to ensure operations are consistent with meeting budgeted costs and in line with the overall Business Unit plan.
There is responsibility for developing, achieving and exceeding a relevant suite of KPIs.
There will be variations in workloads due to seasonal demands – some unsocial hours may be necessary during busy periods and the role will be expected to deal with emergencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
To plan, organise and manage the Sussex land estate. Specific tasks may vary but in general include:
- Planning and prioritising all Sussex land activity including arable farming
- To manage all contract farming arrangements including regular meetings and dialogue with farming partners
- Maintaining effective communications with the CEO Farming, Farming Business Unit Managers and all external partners
- Managing Family landlord/tenant relationships
- Develop and manage water infrastructure across all Sussex land
- Manage general land estate responsibilities such as drainage and access with internal and external customers
- Liaison with local residents and landowners to promote good relationships as a neighbour
- To maintain up to date knowledge of Environment Agency requirements and environmental legislation to ensure compliance
- Managing the basic payment scheme for Sussex
- Ensuring Red Tractor standards are met across all Sussex land
- To support or manage project activity with the Farming Business Unit as required
- Liaising with the agronomist and take ownership of the growing activity maintaining empathy with growing and farming.
- Develop relationships with agronomic advisors and align the agronomic requirements of the crop with the operational capability
- Support the development and delivery of the farming strategy
- To develop and lead a high performing arable team, who operate in an effective, cross- functional, collaborative and proactive way, able to meet or exceed their objectives
- Prioritise and manage workloads to deliver against agreed KPI’s
- Own the implementation and reporting of health & safety in all areas in your remit encouraging best practice and regular review
- Record and deliver accurate and timely management information to the business for operational forecasting and cost control
- Continuously improve the performance of the arable operations to maximise efficiencies and manage cost while identifying non-value added activities and targeting waste
- Continually ensure the application of all relevant standards to produce compliant, safe, legal and high quality products
- Manage the preventative and ongoing maintenance plans for farm machinery, stores and infrastructure in line with the budget
- Evaluate risk and establish controls/procedures of a new process, product or crop prior to its introduction.
- Use proprietary technology where appropriate to deliver agility, accuracy & lower costs
- Evaluate risk and establish controls/procedures of a new process, product or crop prior to its introduction.
- Use proprietary technology where appropriate to deliver agility, accuracy & lower costs
- Understand and identify relevant training requirements at all levels and ensure that all employees are properly equipped to undertake their roles
- Implement and manage organisational change as the business dictates
- Procure and authorise expenditure at all times within company guidelines.
Performance Indicators
- Key performance measures in cost control, budgeting, operational productivity, team morale, inventory accuracy and capacity
- Health and Safety – accident rates
- Following systems and processes to the company’s high standards
- Development of staff measured by retention and performance reviews completed
- Personal development - measured by completing personal development plan.
Key requirements
- Passionate about becoming a world class grower
- A strong communicator at all levels with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders from internal departments to external consultants, farming partners and the local community
- Able to build and motivate a first class farming team
- Flexible to be able to be “boots on” as required
- Financially astute with analytical and problem solving skills
- Energetic, determined and resilient with the energy and enthusiasm to inspire and influence others
- The ability to grow with and for the organisation
- Have the humility/ability to communicate at all levels ensuring excellent communication and team working between all aspects of the business
Package:
- £75,000 Basic Depending upon experience
- Plus Fantastic Benefits to be discussed at interview
Please email your CV to: kate@agriRS.co.uk
We thank all applicants who respond, but please be advised that only those short listed for interview will be contacted.
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Agricultural Recruitment Specialists are a market leading, highly prestigious and professional recruitment agency within the agriculture, horticultural, equestrian, animal health and rural sectors, with a strong focus on jobs and job vacancies within sales, management, marketing, operations, technical, engineering sectors, including international and Senior/Director jobs, within our specialist and niche agricultural sector. We offer a range of services to clients including head hunting, specialist advertising and general recruitment services. Please visit www.agriRS.co.uk to find out more or call us on 01905 345 155 to talk to a member of our recruitment team today.