Job Description

About Us

We're on a mission to change the world by growing better

We're a full-scale, energy-saving, sustainably powered vertical farm, on a bold mission to transform the farming system for the better--creating nutritious, affordable, and delicious food that doesn't cost the earth.

Our purpose? To change the world by growing better. We're tackling one of the world's biggest challenges--sustainable food production--while empowering communities to thrive on better, greener food choices. By 2050, 1 in 3 people will be eating vertically farmed food, proving we can feed a growing world using less land.

We boldly grow where no one has grown before. Our vertically farmed produce is made possible by an incredible team of rocket scientists (see what we did there?), engineers, leaf whisperers, and passionate people. We grow together--collaborating, challenging, and supporting each other.

Our team has grown to 130 people, and we're always looking for passionate, plant-loving, purpose-driven individuals. At GrowUp, we believe in standing tall, doing what we say we'll do, and taking pride in our work. We're looking for people driven by purpose, ready to think big, and excited about creating a better world through sustainable food systems.

Our Story

In 2013, we started combining technologies to grow better food with less impact on the planet. Our breakthrough? Cracking the biggest challenge in vertical farming--energy. We use renewable heating and cooling to reduce our reliance on electricity and dramatically cut energy costs.

We're growers with a deep-rooted respect for the British farming tradition. Using technology, innovation, and bold thinking, we aim to solve global food production challenges and build a more resilient food system.

From an idea eleven years ago to 100m+ investment and the creation of Pepperness in Sandwich, Kent, we're growing toward a better future, supported by Generate Capital, a US Public Benefit Corporation.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. More farms, more crops, more impact.

Our Values

Deep Rooted
We do the right thing, even when no one is looking. We care about people, the planet and our business. We're powered by purpose.

Think Big
We're courageous innovators. We thrive on bold ambitions. We avoid unnecessary complexity.

Grow Together
We're one team. We collaborate around the same goal. We challenge each other to unlock our full potential.

Stand Tall
We do what we say we're going to do. We're proud of our work. We celebrate it.

Where We Work

PEPPERNESS - Our Flagship Farm

Located in Sandwich, Kent, Pepperness grows, harvests, and packs salad leaves under one roof. Built on a reclaimed car park, it spans the equivalent of 1,000 acres of farmland and embodies our sustainable, resilient future of food.

Our team drives us forward--growers, tech minds, and problem solvers -- unlocking smarter, better, and more sustainable systems. We grow together.

THE LEAF LAB - Our Innovation Hub

In Bourn Quarter, Cambridge, our R&D team blends cutting-edge science with leaf optimisation. We fine-tune environments and trial global varieties, giving every plant the VIP treatment. A true think big environment.

Other Sites

We also have teams in London and Edinburgh, focusing on Growth, Finance, and Impact -- cross-functional and highly collaborative.

The Role

The Hygiene Operative will have a pivotal impact in our brand-new facility right at the heart of our state-of-the-art Vertical Farm in Sandwich, Kent, where you will be supporting the site in producing delicious food products by maintaining a top-class level of hygiene in the production areas. Your primary purpose is to ensure the factory is kept to a high standard that as a minimum will meet, if not exceed our food hygiene standards. This means working as a multi skilled Hygiene Coordinator and other operatives within an effective and efficient hygiene team, delivering high standards of cleaning throughout the site in accordance with company, customer and legal requirements.

Hygiene Operative responsibilities:

Communicating when supplies are low and need replenishing. Highlighting staff training needs and carryout where necessary. Ensuring working areas are free from slips, trips and fall hazards and that all Health & Safety requirements are met. Ensure all housekeeping equipment is in good working order and report any faults, maintain an inventory of equipment. Strip and clean operational lines Decanting of cleaning and sanitising chemicals Carrying out log out and tag out process on equipment used. Responsible for hygiene standards in the main factory high care production and low care warehouse areas to include the seeding, harvesting, packing and despatch zones. Completing safety checks and maintaining accurate cleaning records. Ensure all tasks are carried out according to the standard cleaning procedures and CIC (Cleaning Instruction Cards) in terms of GMP, food safety, presentation and housekeeping. Ensure all relevant tasks are completed on time and escalate issues to your direct manager. Examples: a risk to Food Safety, Health and Safety, missing parts, damaged equipment, faulty equipment etc. Look for improvements and challenge the current system if you can see efficiencies. Create and maintain a tidy working environment, following the clean as you go policy and all daily given tasks.
Day to day

Follow the cleaning instructions in each area. Ensure tasks are completed in a timely manner. Deliver a top-class level of cleaning. Ensure paperwork and documentation is completed correctly and given to the technical manager. Pack away your chemicals and equipment in a safe and secure manner in its designated area.
Health and Safety and Food Safety

Meet all responsibilities as required under the company health and safety at work policy. Work in safe manner to eliminate personal risk and risk to others. Work as a role model when conducting your duties. Support and promote an active Food and Safety Culture. Address or report any hazard observed immediately, health or food related. Ensure correct PPE is always worn. Maintain personal hygiene to a high standard.

What's in it for you?

Be part of a great business - you will be in one of the fastest growing and most exciting businesses in the vertical farming industry. Be part of a great team - you will work with and learn from a friendly, smart, growing, and passionate team who care about each other and the business. Grow yourself - a chance to develop yourself and make the role your own as the business and team builds, broadening your knowledge and capabilities to push you to the next level. Share our passion for driving change for good - we're B Corp certified and driving sustainable food production is at the heart of what we do.
Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus based on performance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Group Income Protection

Private Health Insurance

Enhanced maternity & paternity leave

5% employer pension contribution

Mental health & coaching support (Agile)

Learning Allowance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Paid volunteering days

Referral bonus (500 per hire)

Anniversary rewards

Quarterly team socials and events

The hiring process

Talent Screen Hiring Manager Interview On-site Interview Leadership Interview Offer
Our team is the most valuable part of our business - our success is defined by the hard-working, brilliant and enthusiastic people we employ. Our recruitment process and employment decisions are based on our business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability status. We don't tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and we encourage all suitable applicants to apply for open positions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 28,700.00 per year

Benefits:

Cycle to work scheme On-site parking
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Location:

Sandwich CT13 9FA (required)
Work Location: In person