Trial & Validation Lead - Crop in England

Are you an experienced crop trials professional looking for a role with real sector impact? A government-funded public private organisation is looking for a commercially minded Trials & Validation Lead to take ownership of crop testing activity within its Test, Trial & Demonstration function. The organisation works closely with innovative businesses, growers and research partners to help new technologies move from concept into commercial agriculture. This is a practical leadership role with real impact in the sector. You will plan and oversee crop trials from design through to delivery. Each trial must be specifically designed to test the product or practice in question. You will ensure data is robust, commercially relevant and useful to growers and agri-tech businesses alike. The organisation is built around strong values including integrity, accountability, innovation, collaboration and real-world impact.

The Role

This role sits between innovation and adoption. Good ideas only matter if they work in the field. This requires good evidence of success which is produced by accurate trials, consistent protocols, reliable data and practical outcomes. You will lead crop trials across a range of farming systems and environments. This will include work around:

• Soil nutrition and soil health
• Precision farming technology
• Biological products and crop inputs
• Sustainable growing systems
• Water management
• Crop resilience and yield improvement

The focus is trial quality, relevant evidence, commercial outcomes and farmer confidence.

Responsibilities:

• Lead crop trial and validation activity across the organisation
• Manage Trials & Validation Coordinators and support team development
• Act as the key contact for agri-tech businesses, growers and supply chain partners
• Ensure trials are scientifically robust and commercially representative
• Coordinate field trial sites across varying soil types and growing conditions
• Maintain high standards in protocols, data quality and reporting
• Ensure trials reflect real farming environments and commercial practice
• Oversee delivery against timelines, budgets and programme KPIs
• Develop and improve crop trial platforms and testbed capability
• Support trials linked to soil nutrition, crop establishment and sustainable production systems
• Build relationships with growers, agronomists and early adopters
• Work closely with internal teams, research partners and external stakeholders
• Produce clear reporting for leadership teams, boards and funding bodies
• Drive continuous improvement across trial systems and delivery standards

You Will Bring:

• Strong technical experience within crop production systems
• A background in trials, validation or applied agricultural R&D
• Experience managing people and coordinating delivery through teams
• Knowledge of crop agronomy and soil management principles
• Experience working across multiple trial sites and programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• The ability to assess data critically and communicate findings clearly
• A practical and delivery-focused mindset
• A degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy or a related subject, or equivalent industry experience
• A full UK driving licence

Desirable:

• Experience with precision agriculture technology
• Knowledge of regenerative farming or soil health systems
• Experience working alongside data or modelling teams
• Exposure to government, research or industry bodies
• Project management experience

The Opportunity

This is an important position within the Test, Trial & Demonstration team. You will influence how crop technologies are tested, validated and proven before commercial adoption. Your work will help shape future farming systems across UK agriculture. For the right person, this is an opportunity to lead meaningful work with long term impact across the sector.

To apply:

For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call Rupert Kettle on: Office or e-mail your CV and covering letter to De Lacy Executive Recruitment. More information about our processing activities can be found at Please be assured that all contact is treated in complete confidence and your details will not be passed to a third party without your prior permission.