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.

Your Role

If you're a technical manager looking to have a big impact in a brand-new facility, this could be the prefect role for you! You will be 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 providing first-hand quality & technical support, ensuring site compliance and day to day task.

All the responsibilities we will trust you with

:

As Technical Manager, you will be the site lead for food safety, product quality, and compliance. You will champion continuous improvement and change management to ensure we consistently meet legal, regulatory, customer, and industry standards.

We are looking for a strong people leader who can inspire, develop, and manage teams while working collaboratively across the factory. You will be responsible for implementing and maintaining site programmes to ensure ongoing compliance and audit readiness.

This role is a balance of hands-on support--working with teams to meet customer requirements and third-party standards--and strategic preparation for external audits and customer visits.

Food Safety & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with legal, customer, retailer, and third-party standards (BRCGS, Red Tractor, audits). Lead, implement, update and review HACCP, VACCP and TACCP as team leader, ensuring compliance with evolving standards and requirements. Manage and maintain the Food Safety & Quality Management System (FSQMS), ensuring accuracy and continuous improvement. Ensure site accreditation is maintained at all times. Support and facilitate all external and customer technical audits, ensuring audit readiness. Manage traceability systems and provide improvements across all stages of production. Be the main contact for Pest Control on site. Ensure visits are conducted, accompanied and monitored when necessary.

Quality & Product Assurance

Oversee inspection of finished products to ensure compliance with specifications, labelling and paperwork accuracy. Lead allergen & speciation controls, hygiene monitoring, GMP standards and foreign body risk Manage microbiological, environmental and water testing programmes, escalate non-conformances, and ensure corrective actions. Organise and maintain Micro & nutritional testing regime, customer testing, and product organoleptic assessments, taking action when required. Lead product complaint investigations, trend analysis and reporting, driving corrective and preventative actions. Review packaging artworks for compliance with UK legislation and codes of practice. Support New Product Development (internal specifications, QAS reviews, micro schedules, customer specifications).

Audit & Continuous Improvement

Lead the internal audit system against BRCGS and other standards, ensuring effective reporting, follow-up and close-out of non-conformances. Conduct horizon scanning with monthly updates to TACCP/VACCP. Record and monitor complaints, suppliers, non-conformances and audit findings, maintaining NC logs and tracking corrective actions. Drive improvements via root cause analysis (RCA), corrective and preventative actions, and technical initiatives. Develop, implement and maintain SOPs, quality checks, GMP standards and supporting documentation in collaboration with stakeholders. Provide regular KPI, scorecard and technical reports to management, identifying trends and ensuring targets are achieved.

Team management

Lead, develop and manage the Technical/QA team and Quality Auditors, ensuring high performance and compliance. Provide training for new starters and develop ongoing training in food safety, microbiological sampling, CCPs, hygiene and GMP. Conduct training for key personnel on FSQM and role-specific procedures. Promote and embed an active Food Safety Culture across site. Deputise for the Group Technical Controller when required.

Collaboration & Communication

Maintain strong communication with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders on specifications, complaints, audits and technical matters. Work closely with the Hygiene Manager and other functions to ensure food safety and quality standards are maintained. Contribute to relevant business meetings, supporting delivery of site quality and food safety objectives.

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 - Initial video call Hiring Manager Interview - Deep dive over Teams On-site Interview - Task + cultural alignment Leadership Interview - Final conversation with leadership Offer - Verbal + written 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: Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Cycle to work scheme Free parking Referral programme
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Location:

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

Reference ID: https://growupfarms.careers.hibob.com/jobs/da01c02b-2346-4371-a03c-89ffe9ade7d0/apply