At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research and innovation teams to drive continuous improvement in pig production.
- Company: Cranswick Farming, a leader in UK pig production with a focus on excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share save scheme, enhanced pension, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a progressive business focused on animal welfare and innovation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior research roles, strong leadership, and knowledge of industry standards.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Hessle
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
About the Role
Cranswick Farming, part of Cranswick, is the leader in pig production in the UK. We’re looking for a driven and experienced Head of Research and Innovation to play a key leadership role in driving continuous improvement against our overall business. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a strong presence across the business. You will promote best practice, drive performance, and support the ongoing development of the research, technical and innovation teams, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, compliance, productivity, and team engagement are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and day to day management of the research, technical and innovation teams
- Deliver the business strategy, ensuring full compliance with legislation and customer standards.
- Stay ahead of changes in regulations and industry standards to proactively manage risks.
- Ensure trials deliver robust, commercially representative performance data
- Set standards for data quality, evidence generation and reporting
- Generate trusted data and evidence to support business strategy
- Build, mentor and lead a high performing team
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to achieve business KPIs
- Represent the organisation with external stakeholders, boards and industry groups
What we’re looking for:
You’ll be a passionate and knowledgeable leader who brings:
- Proven experience in senior research and/or innovation roles within the food or agricultural industry and ideally 5+ years’ leadership experience in R&D environments
- Strong knowledge of technical legislation, retailer standards and audit requirements.
- A detail-focused, improvement-driven mindset with strong commercial awareness and the ability to align trials activity to market and customer needs
- A collaborative approach, with the confidence to lead from the front and influence change.
- Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Experience in embedding operational processes, standards and frameworks
- Able to prioritise workloads and make effective decisions at pace
- The confidence to challenge, influence and lead at senior level
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary (discussed at application stage).
- Share Save Scheme – purchase company shares at a discounted rate.
- Enhanced pension scheme.
- Employee discounts at major high street retailers and supermarkets through our company benefits portal.
- Opportunity to join a progressive and growing business with a strong focus on operational excellence, animal welfare, and employee development.
A full job description is available upon request. Salary to be discussed at the interview stage.
To apply, please submit your covering letter and CV to: Closing date: 15th of August. Please note that if a suitable candidate is found, this closing date may be brought forward.
Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle in Hutton employer: Cranswick Plc
Cranswick plc is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Hull where you can lead a dedicated team in maintaining the highest hygiene standards in the FMCG sector. With a strong focus on employee development and a culture that values teamwork and safety, we provide opportunities for growth and advancement while ensuring our staff feel valued and supported in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle in Hutton
✨Network through Industry Events
Look out for agricultural engineering expos and trade shows – they're golden opportunities! Attend these events to meet professionals from companies like Cranswick Plc and chat about their work. Being present in person can create connections that lead to job openings!
✨Join Agricultural Engineering Groups
Get involved in online communities and forums focused on agricultural engineering. Platforms like LinkedIn and specialised Facebook groups are great spots to join discussions, share insights, and even find job posts! Engaging with fellow enthusiasts can also lead to potential referrals.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a portfolio showcasing any projects or relevant work you've done in agricultural engineering. Whether it's design work, projects from uni, or even side gigs, having a visual representation of your skills can really catch the eye of hiring managers at places like Cranswick Plc.
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Besides company websites, check out niche job boards specific to agricultural engineering. Sites like AgCareers or Engineering Jobs can have listings that align with roles at Cranswick Plc. Applying through various channels increases your chances of landing that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle in Hutton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Experience:In agricultural engineering, it's all about practical experience. Highlight any projects or internships you've been involved in that showcase your skills in machinery, crop management, or sustainability practices. Use specifics to give us a clear picture of what you've accomplished and how it relates to the role at Cranswick Plc.
Get Technical with Your CV:Make sure your CV showcases technical competencies relevant to agricultural engineering. List any specific software tools or engineering techniques you're familiar with, as well as any certifications related to agricultural practices or environmental regulations. This gives us a good insight into your skill set for the Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle position.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Our Values:When writing your cover letter, take the time to reflect on how your personal values align with those of Cranswick Plc. We want to see your passion for sustainable agriculture and how your engineering background can help us achieve our goals. Share what motivates you in this field, and let your personality shine through!
Don't Forget About Your Portfolio:If you've worked on design or engineering projects, consider including a portfolio to back up your application. This could be anything from photos of completed projects to detailed reports or analyses you've done. It’s an excellent way to visually demonstrate your skills and help us see your potential fit for the full-time Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranswick Plc
✨Master Your Technical Know-How
As an agricultural engineering candidate, you need to showcase your understanding of key concepts like irrigation systems, soil mechanics, and machinery design. Brush up on technical questions that could come your way, especially those related to recent advancements in agricultural technology, and be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in real-world situations.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Highlight specific examples where you solved complex engineering problems, particularly those relevant to agriculture. Think about challenges you’ve faced during projects or your coursework and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes; interviewers will love to see your practical experience in action.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio of Projects
Having a portfolio can be a game changer for a full-time role in agricultural engineering. Showcase any relevant projects you've worked on—be they internships, academic assignments, or personal projects. Make sure to highlight the tools and techniques you used and how they can be applicable to the role at Cranswick Plc.
✨Understand the Industry Trends
Get clued up on the latest trends affecting agricultural engineering, like automation, sustainability practices, and precision agriculture. This shows your passion for the field and helps you to discuss how your skills can contribute to Cranswick Plc’s goals in navigating these trends.
