Glasshouse Maintenance Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Maintenance Manager to join one of the UK’s most innovative and ambitious high-tech horticultural operations.

With significant investment and expansion underway, including additional state-of-the-art glasshouse facilities and polytunnel production, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact within a progressive, technology-driven agricultural business.

This isn’t simply about keeping machinery running. It’s about building a smarter, more proactive maintenance operation from the ground up.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, the successful candidate will take ownership of the site’s maintenance strategy, transitioning the function from reactive repairs to a structured, preventative and performance-led approach.

Leading a small engineering and maintenance team, they will play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, efficiency and safety of a rapidly expanding glasshouse and packhouse operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme.

• Take ownership of asset management, maintenance schedules and equipment reliability.

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of three Maintenance Operatives.

• Maintain critical glasshouse systems, including irrigation, climate control, energy and crop protection technologies.

• Minimise downtime through effective fault diagnosis, preventative maintenance and continuous improvement.

• Manage maintenance budgets, spare parts, contractors and external service providers.

• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, statutory inspections and safe working practices.

• Work closely with growing, production and packhouse teams to support operational performance.

• Drive improvements in maintenance reporting, equipment performance and operational efficiency.

• Support the introduction of new equipment, technologies and infrastructure as the business expands.

What They’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will be a practical, technically strong and commercially minded engineering professional who enjoys taking ownership and making things happen.

They will ideally bring:

• A strong engineering or maintenance background, covering mechanical, electrical and control systems.

• Proven experience developing and managing PPM systems and asset registers.

• Experience leading maintenance teams and managing contractors.

• A sound understanding of maintenance budgets, operational efficiency and equipment reliability.

• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, hands-on approach.

• Confidence working with maintenance data, performance indicators and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Experience within glasshouse horticulture, controlled-environment agriculture or growing systems would be a significant advantage.

Importantly, candidates from other technically demanding environments, including food production, manufacturing and automated processing, are also encouraged to apply.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a genuinely exciting time to join a business investing heavily in the future of sustainable British food production.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Make their mark by developing and shaping a maintenance function.

• Work with cutting-edge technology in a modern, expanding glasshouse environment.

• Take real ownership of engineering performance, reliability and asset management.

• Play a key role in a business committed to innovation, sustainability and long-term growth.

• Develop their career within a forward-thinking, ambitious agricultural operation.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced Maintenance Manager, Engineering Manager or Senior Maintenance Engineer looking for an opportunity to take greater ownership, influence change and help shape the future of high-tech horticulture, this could be the ideal next step.

Get in touch with Ian Reed at Redfox Executive Selection for a confidential discussion and further details. 6142IR