We're recruiting for an Arable Manager for a farm in Suffolk, IP14.
You will work for a long-established, family-owned farming business with diversified interests across arable farming, livestock production, construction training, meat production and property.
The Arable Manager role is a senior operational position within the business, contributing directly to its long-term sustainability, performance, and development. The role, therefore, comes with a high level of autonomy and accountability for the right candidate.
The postholder will lead the arable team, oversee crop production and resource utilisation, and integrate the arable enterprise with the wider business, including livestock and contract farming operations.
Job Description:
- Develop and implement an arable strategy
- Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance
- Identify and assess opportunities for operational improvement, investment, and diversification
- Plan, manage, and deliver crop production across rotations, currently including wheat, barley, sugar beet, and oilseed rape
- Oversee cultivation, drilling, crop protection, irrigation, where applicable, and harvesting activities.
- Implement cover cropping, environmental margins, and soil management practices to support long-term productivity
- Monitor yields, input use, and operational performance, taking corrective action where required
- Coordinate arable activities with the livestock operation to ensure effective use of straw, feed, and organic manure
- Manage the application of organic matter and nutrients in accordance with nutrient management plans and regulatory requirements
- Lead, manage, and develop the arable team, ensuring appropriate skills, training, and performance standards
- Promote safe working practices and compliance with health and safety requirements
- Organise labour and machinery resources to deliver operational plans efficiently
- Manage relationships with contract farming clients, ensuring delivery of agreed farming services
- Provide clear communication and reporting to the board and senior management
- Ensure compliance with relevant agricultural legislation and assurance schemes, including Red Tractor
- Maintain required registrations and engagement with environmental and conservation bodies
- Support and develop environmental stewardship and conservation initiatives across the holding
Person Specifications:
- Proven experience managing large-scale arable operations, typically 1,000 hectares or more
- Strong technical knowledge of combinable crop production and modern arable systems
- Experience in budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting within an agricultural business
- Demonstrable leadership and people management capability
- Understanding of environmental compliance and assurance requirements
- Experience of mixed farming systems and integration of livestock nutrients into arable rotations
- Experience managing contract farming arrangements and multi-site operations
- Familiarity with environmental stewardship schemes and conservation delivery
Salary guide: £50,000 DOE
Plus:
- Housing offered
- Pension
- Annual leave
For further details, please call Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
All applications are handled in strict confidence, and our applicant service is provided free of charge.
Currently, we can only accept applications from UK or EU nationals with the right to work in the UK.