Join Keelings! You will be part of a passionate team of people and a growing business. Come on the journey with us where you will grow and develop and truly feel a sense of belonging. At Keelings, we don't just grow quality fresh produce, we also nurture people and their professional development. The Keelings family always employ the best people for the job, the key to our success is the quality of the people we employ.
Our Strategic Priorities
Better Food - We make our products better and inspire more people to enjoy produce.
People - We support our people to learn, be at their best, contribute and deliver on their commitments, using One Keelings' standards.
Better Ways - Every year we improve our competitiveness, efficiency and delivery through insight, technology and One Keelings.
Better World - We improve our environmental and social impact to make a positive difference in our world.
Partnerships - Working with Keelings creates value and long-term relationships with our customers & suppliers.
Growth - We invest in and deliver insight led, focused, profitable growth into the future.
Keelings Values
People Matter - We support and treat each other in a clear, fair and respectful way. We all learn, develop and encourage everyone to contribute
Teamwork - We inspire and help each other to deliver our ambitions together as One Keelings
Integrity - We do the right thing and deliver on our commitments
Passion for Achievement - We motivate ourselves and each other to achieve our ambitions with energy, knowledge and courage. We are always striving to be better.
Purpose of the Role:
To ensure seamless and efficient operations by overseeing all aspects of staffing, from recruitment to scheduling, training, and performance management. The successful candidate will strive to optimise productivity, minimise costs, and maintain high standards of quality and safety.
Through effective leadership and strategic planning, the successful candidate will cultivate a motivated and skilled workforce, foster a positive work environment, and contribute to the overall success and growth of the farm.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
Strategic Labour Management:
- Develop and deliver strategic labour demand plans aligned with production cycles and business goals.
- Oversee the sourcing, recruitment, training, and deployment of labour resources throughout the farm.
- Utilise data analysis tools to monitor key performance indicators and make informed decisions.
- Utilise data analysis tools to be able to plan up to 6 weeks ahead.
- Support the Head of Operations to work with rest of the group to research alternative labour resources.
Staff Management:
- Lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team of farm workers, ensuring productivity and high morale.
- Build a strong, scalable management team to support high volume of staff in peak season and low in off peak.
- Schedule and organise daily tasks, considering seasonal demands and crop cycles.
- Manage the staff intake process, creating teams and monitoring performance.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to enhance individual and team performance.
- Represent Farms team on Group Staff Wellbeing committee and promote all initiatives amongst all teams.
Operations Support Functions
- Be the system owner for Keygrove (Labour Management System) continuously developing it alongside developers.
- Develop and maintain relevant data management systems.
- Deliver appropriate access to relevant farm management data (Dashboards & KPI's etc)
Operational Efficiency:
- Develop and implement streamlined operational procedures to maximise productivity including Piece Rate systems.
- Required to support and drive a program of continuous improvement on the site and to manage the relationship with all third-party service providers.
- Pro-actively manage and drive focus on reducing labour costs by implementing new ways of working.
- Develop a culture of positivity towards process improvement.
Quality Control
Implement and enforce quality control measures to ensure the highest standards in crop production and harvesting.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance team to maintain consistent product quality.
Resource Management:
Oversee the sourcing, maintenance schedules and compliance of Farms fleet (Truck/Bus/Forklifts/Tractors/Trailers etc) and machinery lawn mowers /strimmers etc across all sites.
Utilise technology available to track operator performance, location, maintain records etc.
Represent Farms team on Group Accommodation Committee
Manage staff transport across the farms.
Key Skills & Knowledge
Essential:
- Leadership: Ability to lead and motivate teams, make decisions, and inspire others to achieve organizational goals.
- Strategic Planning: Capacity to develop and implement long-term plans and strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve operational objectives.
- Problem-Solving: Proficiency in identifying issues, analysing root causes, and implementing effective solutions to overcome challenges in day-to-day operations.
- Communication: Strong communication skills, including verbal, written, and interpersonal abilities, to convey information clearly, collaborate with teams, and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
- Team building: the ability to build, develop and motivate diverse teams, fostering a positive work culture and promoting collaboration and teamwork.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse data, interpret trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize processes, improve performance, and drive continuous improvement within the organization.
Desirable:
- Team player
- A positive attitude
- Eager to learn and develop both personally and professionally.
- Flexible and adaptable
- Proactive and efficient
- Good IT Skills - PowerPoint, word, excel & PowerBI.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Confidentiality/discretion to the highest standard
- Planning and organisational skills
- The ability to work on their own initiative.
- Knowledge of risk management tools and techniques
Education & Qualifications:
- Minimum 2.2 in their studies at level 8 or 9 in a relevant discipline (Or 10+ years in operations management)
- Full Driving Licence (IRE / EU)
- Cert CPC Transport Manager desirable but not essential
Recruitment Process
1. CV Submission & email acknowledgment of receipt
2. Phone Screening
3. 1st Interview
4. 2nd Interview
5. Outcome & Feedback
Inclusion & Diversity Statement
In Keelings we value all perspectives and knowledge that our colleagues bring to our business. We are committed to forming a diverse and inclusive team where all can share their unique experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all cultures and backgrounds and are dedicated to forming an environment of inclusiveness and diversity where all can thoroughly feel a sense of belonging.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
If you require reasonable accommodation in submitting your application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the recruitment process, please contact recruitment_keelings@keelings.com
Keelings Careers - https://www.keelings.com/careers-keelings/
Keelings Strategy & Values - https://www.keelings.com/our-people