About the role
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused Packhouse Manager with a strong background in fresh produce operations, food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and third-party audits.
The successful candidate will take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of vegetable packing operations, ensuring high standards of productivity, product quality, traceability, food safety and operational efficiency.
We are particularly interested in candidates with proven experience managing packhouse audits, maintaining recognised food safety certifications and implementing robust quality management systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee all daily vegetable packhouse operations, including intake, grading, packing, storage and dispatch.
- Manage and develop packhouse supervisors, team leaders and operational staff.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, quality assurance and health and safety regulations.
- Lead and coordinate external and internal audits, including BRCGS, Red Tractor, customer and retailer-specific audits.
- Maintain audit readiness throughout the year, ensuring all documentation, procedures and records are accurate and up to date.
- Implement, maintain and continuously improve HACCP-based food safety management systems.
- Oversee product traceability, quality control, stock rotation and recall procedures.
- Manage non-conformances, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Monitor operational KPIs, labour efficiency, packing performance, waste reduction and production costs.
- Work closely with growing, harvesting, technical and commercial teams to coordinate product availability and packing schedules.
- Ensure effective maintenance and safe operation of packhouse machinery and equipment.
- Drive improvements in operational efficiency, staff performance and product quality.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary up to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Accommodation provided as part of the employment package.
- Permanent, full-time position with a well-established agricultural business.
- Opportunity to lead and develop packhouse operations.
- Long-term career stability and professional development.
- Supportive working environment with a strong focus on quality, efficiency and continuous improvement.
Qualifications & experience
- Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Level 3 HACCP qualification with proven experience implementing and managing HACCP systems.
- Level 3 Food Safety in Manufacturing qualification or equivalent.
- Recognised internal auditing qualification, preferably covering BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety or ISO 22000.
- Strong working knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety Standards, audit preparation, certification requirements and corrective action management.
- Proven experience successfully managing third-party food safety audits, including BRCGS, Red Tractor or major UK retailer audits.
- Significant management experience within a fresh produce or vegetable packhouse environment.
- Excellent understanding of product traceability, quality assurance, hygiene standards and food safety legislation.
- Demonstrable experience managing production teams, labour planning, operational budgets and performance KPIs.
- Strong leadership, communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Desirable Experience
- BRCGS Professional qualification or recognised Lead Auditor certification.
- Level 4 Food Safety or HACCP qualification.
- Experience with LEAF Marque, GLOBALG.A.P. or retailer-specific technical standards.
- Previous experience managing high-volume vegetable grading and packing operations.
- Knowledge of automated grading, weighing, packing and labelling equipment.
- Experience introducing lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement programmes.
Candidate requirements
All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.
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