At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation and shape the future for our Members in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join the UK's largest member-owned agricultural co-operative with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private health insurance, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while driving innovation and technology in agriculture.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in digital transformation and strong strategic thinking skills.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Lead our digital evolution. Shape the future for our Members. The AF Group is the UK’s largest Member‑owned, non‑profit agricultural purchasing co‑operative, representing over 3,000 farmers and rural businesses. Based in the UK, it leverages a £330m+ annual turnover to deliver cost‑effective procurement for inputs like fuel, fertiliser and machinery, aiming to save its Members time and money.
The AF Group is entering an exciting period of digital evolution, and we’re looking for a commercially astute, visionary Chief Technology Officer to shape and deliver our multi‑year technology strategy. This board‑facing role will lead the transformation of our digital ecosystem strengthening operational effectiveness, enhancing Member experience, and future‑proofing the platforms that underpin our growth.
As CTO, you will own the full technology landscape, including CRM/ERP, order processing, member‑facing digital services and e‑commerce. You’ll combine strategic leadership with hands‑on oversight of architecture, data, security and digital innovation ensuring our systems are integrated, scalable and insight‑led. We’re looking for a forward‑thinking technology leader who can translate business ambition into practical, scalable solutions that create long‑term value for our Members.
What you’ll lead:
- Development and delivery of a multi‑year technology and digital transformation roadmap
- Modernisation and integration of core systems (CRM/ERP, order processing, member portal, e‑commerce)
- Technology‑enabled transformation across workflows, automation and service redesign
- Data governance, analytics and responsible AI adoption
- Cyber security, infrastructure resilience and vendor management
- A culture of innovation, collaboration and digital capability across the organisation
What you’ll bring:
- Senior leadership experience in digital transformation or operational technology
- A track record of leading enterprise system change (e.g. ERP/CRM modernisation)
- Strong strategic thinking and systems‑level problem solving
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence engaging board‑level stakeholders
- Experience driving process improvement, automation and insight‑led decision‑making
- Deep understanding of systems architecture, integration and data governance
- Desirable: experience in mutuals, cooperatives or not‑for‑profit environments; exposure to AI and analytics; familiarity with agricultural or procurement‑led organisations; knowledge and/or experience of NetSuite
Who you are:
You’re a collaborative, forward‑looking leader who thrives in complex environments. You balance innovation with pragmatism, bring people with you through change, and stay composed when navigating ambiguity. Above all, you’re motivated by delivering meaningful impact for Members.
Our Values – The 6Cs: Being better, together Care - Curiosity - Create - Collaborate - Challenge - Communicate. We foster a collaborative, supportive culture where colleagues feel valued and recognised. Our 6Cs detail how we expect all colleagues to work together every day, and as a leader in the business the CTO will be expected to champion them.
Salary: Competitive + annual car allowance of ÂŁ7,500
Hours: 37.5 per week Monday to Friday
Additional Benefits:
- 8% employer pension contribution (salary sacrifice)
- 26 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays. This rises with each years’ service by an additional day, up to 7 extra days
- Have your birthday off as an extra days holiday, if it falls on your working day
- Free lunch daily from our onsite Café
- AF Membership (giving discounts at hundreds of retailers and suppliers)
- Life assurance 3 x salary
- Private Health Insurance (family cover)
- Discounted gym membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary Sacrifice car scheme
- Hybrid working (1 day working from home per week)
Chief Technology Officer employer: AF (The AF Group)
Contact Detail:
AF (The AF Group) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend tech meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that CTO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your vision! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas on digital transformation and how you can enhance Member experience. Make them see you as the future leader they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the AF Group’s current tech landscape and think about how you can modernise their systems. Tailor your answers to show you understand their needs and can deliver real value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our exciting digital evolution.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in digital transformation and technology leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to enhance Member experience and drive innovation.
Showcase Your Vision: In your application, share your thoughts on the future of technology in agriculture and how you envision leading our digital evolution. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically and bring fresh ideas to the table.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves engaging with board-level stakeholders and fostering a culture of collaboration, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully worked with diverse teams in the past. We value teamwork and communication!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly. Let’s make this happen together!
How to prepare for a job interview at AF (The AF Group)
✨Know Your Tech Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current technology landscape of the AF Group. Familiarise yourself with their existing systems like CRM/ERP and e-commerce platforms. This will help you articulate how your vision aligns with their digital evolution and demonstrate your understanding of their operational needs.
✨Showcase Strategic Leadership
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in leading digital transformations. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully modernised systems or improved processes. Use metrics to back up your claims, as this will show your ability to drive measurable results and create long-term value for Members.
✨Engage with the 6Cs
Familiarise yourself with the AF Group's values, especially the 6Cs: Care, Curiosity, Create, Collaborate, Challenge, and Communicate. Be ready to share how you embody these values in your leadership style and how you plan to champion them within the organisation.
✨Prepare for Board-Level Engagement
As a board-facing role, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you would engage with board-level stakeholders, ensuring you can convey complex technical concepts in an accessible way. This will demonstrate your communication skills and strategic thinking.