Cultivation Manager

Biocult is seeking an experienced and results-driven Cultivation Manager to lead and optimise cultivation operations within its greenhouse and tunnel environments. This critical leadership role is responsible for ensuring the successful production of host crops that support the commercial manufacture of symbiotic fungal biofertilisers. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving crop performance, operational efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement while leading a high-performing cultivation team. The role is based in Somerset West.

 

Key Responsibilities

Cultivation Operations & Planning

• Plan and manage cultivation activities across greenhouse and tunnel environments.
• Oversee crop cycles from planting through to harvest readiness.
• Optimise cultivation capacity, resources, and scheduling.
• Align cultivation output with production requirements.

Greenhouse & Tunnel Management

• Manage environmental conditions to ensure optimal crop growth.
• Oversee irrigation, fertigation, climate control, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Ensure cultivation infrastructure and equipment are maintained and operating efficiently.
• Identify and mitigate environmental and infrastructure-related risks.

Crop Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor crop health, yield, and quality performance.
• Analyse cultivation data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Implement corrective and preventative actions to improve productivity and reduce losses.
• Support cultivation trials and innovation initiatives.

Compliance, Traceability & SHEQ

• Manage cultivation inputs, including seed, media, nutrients, and biological materials.
• Maintain accurate records and full traceability of crops and environmental conditions.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, SHEQ standards, hygiene requirements, and contamination control procedures.
• Maintain audit readiness and effective reporting systems.

Maintenance & Asset Management

• Coordinate preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Ensure critical equipment and infrastructure remain safe, compliant, and operational.
• Manage maintenance-related risks and minimise operational downtime.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and motivate cultivation teams.
• Manage workforce planning and labour utilisation.
• Drive accountability, performance excellence, and continuous development.
• Promote a culture of safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Quality Control, Maintenance, and Technical teams.
• Lead cultivation forecasting, scheduling, and planning activities.
• Contribute to budgeting processes and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve yields, efficiencies, and operational performance.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Higher Diploma or Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Mycology, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' hands-on experience in an agricultural or cultivation environment.
• Proven experience managing teams within a production, farming, or cultivation environment.
• Experience in controlled environments such as greenhouses, tunnels, indoor farming, or intensive agriculture will be advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of plant biology, horticultural, agronomy, and cultivation principles.
• Knowledge of mycology and fungal cultivation systems will be advantageous.
• Understanding of quality standards, contamination control, SOPs, and SHEQ requirements.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Sound computer literacy with the ability to interpret and manage operational data.
• Ability to work effectively within both operational and administrative environments.

Key Competencies

• Safety Awareness
• Operational Thinking and Planning Discipline
• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Technical and Systems Acumen
• People Leadership and Accountability
• Discipline, Compliance and Professional Integrity

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to pioneering biological agricultural solutions that support sustainable farming practices and food production. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead a critical function within a growing operation, influence operational performance, and make a meaningful contribution to the production of innovative biofertiliser products. This role is ideal for a passionate agricultural professional who thrives in a hands-on environment and is committed to operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.