Production Manager - Chichester - £38,000–£44,000 + Bonus + Benefits


Company:	Agricultural Recruitment Specialists
Salary:	£38,000 to £44,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Chichester, PO18
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	2 Oct 2026
Closing date:	31 Oct 2026

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Summary

Production Manager

The Job:

This is a large scale operational management role focused on people management, forward planning, cost and target management, and maintaining daily production output.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a workforce of approximately 500 seasonal workers and 30 Team Leaders, ensuring daily harvesting targets are achieved and the operation remains on schedule throughout the season. This role would suit an experienced manager from fresh produce, food production, agriculture, horticulture or another fast paced environment involving perishable products and large workforces.

Key Responsibilities:

- Manage approximately 500 seasonal workers and 30 Team Leaders

- Plan labour and harvesting requirements around 5 weeks in advance

- Set and monitor daily production and harvesting targets

- Ensure daily output remains on schedule throughout the season

- Manage labour costs, productivity and operational budgets

- Monitor performance and take action where targets are falling behind

- Lead, support and develop Team Leaders and supervisors

- Coordinate labour and resources to meet changing operational requirements

- Work within strict timeframes due to the short shelf life of the product

- Monitor product quality and ensure harvesting/production is completed at the appropriate time

- Manage operational challenges caused by weather, temperature and seasonal conditions

- Maintain accurate records and reporting

- Ensure health & safety, quality and operational standards are maintained

The Company:

Our client is a successful and growing commercial agricultural business with a large seasonal workforce and a strong focus on productivity, quality and operational efficiency. The role offers the opportunity to take significant responsibility for a large-scale operation where planning, people management and achieving daily targets are critical to success.

The Candidate:

- Experience managing large teams, ideally 150+ workers. Experience managing supervisors/team leaders is highly desirable

- Planning operations several weeks in advance, managing costs and resources, and ensuring daily production targets are consistently achieved.

- Perishable product understanding, experience working with products that have a short shelf life and require careful timing, handling, storage or climate/environmental control.

Experience could come from a wide range of sectors, including:

- Fresh produce

- Soft fruit or top fruit

- Vegetables

- Greenhouse production

- Food production

- Meat or poultry

- Dairy

- Vineyards

- Flowers/horticulture

- Other high-volume, perishable product environments

The actual product background is less important than having the right scale of management and operational experience.

The Package:

- Salary £38,000–£44,000 DOE, potential to go slightly higher for the right candidate

Please email your CV to Grace Hartwell, Senior Delivery Recruitment Consultant, GHartwell@agriRS.co.uk.

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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About Agricultural Recruitment Specialists

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is a market-leading, specialist recruitment partner connecting top talent with leading organisations across the agriculture, farming, food and fresh produce, horticulture, environmental, and rural sectors.

Why Work With Us?

With deep industry knowledge and an extensive global network, we are uniquely positioned to connect high-calibre professionals with forward-thinking organisations. Our consultative approach ensures we deliver not just candidates, but long-term value.

Get in Touch

Visit www.agriRS.com or speak to our specialist team on +44 (0)1905 345 155 to find out more.

Connecting outstanding talent with leading organisations worldwide.

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