Take the helm at Havenhills: A Unique 2-Year Shropshire Field & Kitchen Residency
Market garden and Commercial kitchen
Location: Near Shifnal, Shropshire
Start Date: Autumn 2026 (with a comprehensive, structured training and handover period)
Status: In Organic Conversion (Full Soil Association Status Jan 2027)
Two year opportunity
We are seeking a dynamic team (could be a couple) to manage and grow our established
market garden and food business. We grow a variety of fruit and vegetables and use these
in our kitchen for a weekly range of freshly prepared foods, all made to order. We also run
courses and workshops around food, and host tasting suppers and other events.
One of you will manage the field operations with responsibility for vegetable and fruit
production and distribution to customers. The other will lead food preparation and kitchen
production. Both roles require hard work, tech-savviness, genuine purpose-driven
motivation, and a commitment to maintaining Soil Association organic certification standards.
This is a unique opportunity to take the helm of a purpose-driven business with:
• A loyal, established customer base
• Zero startup costs (fully equipped kitchen and growing infrastructure)
• Four-month comprehensive training period
• Autonomy to manage the business and profit from growth
We are a well-established, break-even micro farm, specialising in sustainable food
production, field-to-kitchen initiatives, and agricultural education. As we approach retirement,
we are seeking a dependable team to take over the day-to-day operations and management
of our Community Interest Company (CIC) and take the business forward, while we will be
here to support and explore educational opportunities for the farm.
What matters most to us is your mindset, your drive, and your capacity to learn fast. We are
offering an extensive, supportive handover and training period to teach you our systems
before you take full control.
At the end of the two year period we would expect for you to be involved in training up
another pair who could take the business over.
Who We Are Looking For
- Hardworking, Thorough, and Dependable: Farm and kitchen environments require high standards of order, hygiene, and meticulous attention to detail. You must be self-motivated individuals who take pride in maintaining an immaculate, safe, and organised holding.
- Kitchen-Ready: You don't need to be Michelin-starred chefs, but you must possess reasonable kitchen skills, a genuine passion for food, and a readiness to master our field-to-kitchen methodologies and food preservation techniques quickly.
- Excellent Communicators: Able to manage customer relationships, host suppers and workshops, and represent the CIC within the Shropshire community with warmth and professionalism.
- Tech-Savvy & Systems-Minded: You must be comfortable utilising modern software for business administration, digital record-keeping, and compliance.
What’s Included
- The Land & infrastructure: The use of fully set-up growing fields and polytunnels transitioning to full Soil Association Organic Status in January 2027.
- The Kitchen: A fully operational, commercial-grade field kitchen used for the preparation of weekly fresh foods, frozen foods and food preservation.
- The Machinery & Technology: Direct access to an extensive inventory of well-maintained farm machinery, tools, and digital business systems.
- Accommodation: Basic on-site accommodation provided under a service occupancy agreement linked to the management role.
- The Business: A fully functioning, compliant CIC with established local supply chains and a strong brand presence.
Who we are
Havenhills Field and Kitchen CIC is a micro farm, that grows a wide range of fruits and
vegetables for sale to local people. We also have a commercial kitchen where we produce a
full range of prepared foods. Find out more at www.havenhills.co.uk
To apply:
Please submit your expression of interest, detailing your relevant experience and why this
specific model appeals to you, to info@havenhills.co.uk