CEA Supervisor - Bruton, Somerset Bruton
Job description
CEA Supervisor - Bruton, Somerset
£35,000 per annum plus fantastic benefits
The Newt in Somerset
The Newt in Somerset is a unique destination with Hotel, Spa, Restaurants, and a significant and fast-growing digital proposition. Take a tour of the gardens, deer park and cyder press, dine in the Garden Café, and visit our farm shop; or follow us on Instagram, enjoy our weekly newsletter, delve into the video archive or shop online. With over 30,000 members, The Newt in Somerset is a vibrant and innovative attraction, animated throughout the seasons by special events, workshops and digital programmes.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Supervisor to be responsible for the market garden Polytunnels and glasshouse(s). The role will report to the Head of Commercial Growing and will play an important part in the productive growing team.
You will be an accomplished and expert grower who has a successful history of growing under glass, in polytunnels and with experience of crop planning, knowledge of growing food, herbs and flower crops in CEA. You will be highly motivated to maximise productivity and to contribute positively to a sustainable and commercially viable fresh food business.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise the healthy growth and implementation of the crop plans, with direction from the Head of Commercial Growing
- Learn, manage and monitor the environmental control systems using Tomtech computer system, and other environmental control systems.
- Maintaining a close dialogue with the production team to provide accurate forecasts to effectively manage supply and demand.
- Managing the application of organic Pesticides when required.
- Monitoring of our Biological Control applications.
- Maintaining and managing of accurate stock records.
- Maintaining a clean and tidy work and growing space.
- Plan and control crop scheduling for all CEA production spaces, including the entire market garden plug production.
- Provide weekly reports on productivity, labour, resources and limiting factors.
- Supervise and encourage positive health and safety throughout all CEA spaces, alongside the wider business.
Skills and Experience
- Previous experience growing in a commercial operation supplying crops for retail.
- Knowledge of operating environmental control systems and crop steering.
- Ability to monitor, identify and manage common crop pests and suitable biological controls.
- Experience in Integrated Pest Management
- Excellent understanding of greenhouse maintenance and common trouble shooting of machinery.
- Experience of maintaining biosecurity control for protected crop.
- Excellent people management skills.
- Understanding of Outlook, Excel, Microsoft word and PowerPoint.
- Basic HACCP knowledge.
- Good analytical and data management.
- Forklift licence is preferred
- PA1 / PA6 pesticide spraying qualification.
Excellent Benefits package available from day one including:
- Exceptional working environment, fresh estate grown meal provided each day
- Employee Assistance Programme - support 365 days per year
- 30% online shop discount and free delivery
- 30% discount in the shops across the estate
- 30% discount at restaurants across the estate
- 30% discount on Newt cyder and Babylonstoren wine
- 50% discount in the Spa
- Discounted hotel stays for staff
- Family pass to access the estate
- Family Events 3 times per year
- Access to internal/external training qualifications and programmes
- Cross Training and career development opportunities
