North-East Norfolk
£30,000 – £32,000 + Benefits
Water. Nutrients. Timing. Get those three right and everything grows from there.
Redfox Executive Selection is working with a highly respected, long-established UK fresh produce business to recruit an Irrigation Specialist for its substantial fruit-growing operation in Norfolk. And this is certainly not just about turning the water on.
We’re looking for someone who understands – or has the appetite to really understand – the science, technology and practical application behind modern irrigation and fertigation systems. Working closely with the Irrigation Manager and wider growing team, you’ll play an important role in making sure crops receive exactly what they need, when they need it. The position covers the installation, operation and monitoring of complete irrigation systems, ensuring water and dosing media are delivered effectively and accurately.
What will you actually be doing?
Plenty.
You’ll help install irrigation systems ahead of planting, manage daily irrigation and fertigation programmes and monitor key crop measurements including substrate moisture, soil moisture, pH, EC and run-off levels. You’ll also work with Farm Managers on new field layouts, maintain accurate irrigation plans and records and help ensure the business operates within its water abstraction licences.
And when something stops working? You’ll be one of the people expected to work out why.
Pumps, filters, pipework, control systems and the wider irrigation infrastructure all fall within the scope of the role, so strong practical problem-solving skills are important.
Who are we looking for?
You might already be working in irrigation, fresh produce, soft fruit, horticulture, protected cropping or another intensive growing environment.
Alternatively, you may have a strong practical or technical background and be looking for the opportunity to specialise in an increasingly important area of modern crop production.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Practical and technically minded
- Comfortable working outside and around commercial crops
- Good at diagnosing problems rather than simply reporting them
- Accurate and organised with monitoring and record keeping
- Able to work independently while being part of a wider growing team
- Interested in technology and modern precision growing
- Keen to learn and develop
Experience with Netafim or Priva irrigation systems would be particularly useful – but importantly, the business is also prepared to consider somebody willing to learn them.
The opportunity
This could be particularly interesting for somebody who doesn’t just want another job. For the right individual, there is the opportunity to build genuine specialist expertise within a significant commercial growing operation and potentially develop towards greater responsibility within the irrigation team.
Water management, fertigation and precision crop production are only becoming more important within UK horticulture.
So if you’re technically curious, practically minded and would rather spend your working day making things grow than watching a screen telling you they aren’t… we’d like to hear from you.
Apply via this website or contact Ian Reed for further details by calling 01284 715055 quoting Ref: 6018IR
