At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic research farm team to drive innovative agricultural practices and high-quality data generation.
- Company: Join Driscoll’s, a leader in berry production with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, profit-sharing, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture or agriculture, with strong people management and project execution skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
The Research & Development Test Plot Farm Manager is a people-first leader responsible for building, developing, and leading a high-performing, technically skilled research farm team. This role drives excellence by aligning team capabilities, priorities, and execution with Driscoll’s innovation strategy, ensuring the successful delivery of experimental farming and research trials. Partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders, the Manager establishes a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence, enabling teams to consistently generate high-quality data, implement best-in-class agronomic practices, and deliver strong outcomes for breeding and applied research programs. This leader plays a critical role in talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability building, ensuring the research farm teams are equipped to scale and support the enterprise’s long-term innovation goals. Through strong leadership, strategic execution, and team engagement, this position enables the full expression of new genetic material and maximises enterprise value.
Goal of the Position / Key Results Areas
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, engaged research farm team that consistently delivers high-quality trial execution and data.
- Enable team success by fostering strong technical capability, ownership, and accountability across all levels.
- Translate innovation strategy into clear team priorities and execution plans that maximise the potential of proprietary genetics.
- Strengthen organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure research farms serve as a centre of excellence, influencing commercial practices and grower adoption.
Responsibilities
People Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and mentor a team of research farm professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build team capability by developing technical expertise, leadership skills, and career growth pathways.
- Drive succession planning and talent pipeline development for key operational and leadership roles.
- Establish clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance management, evaluations, and development planning.
- Create an inclusive and motivating work environment that reflects Driscoll’s values of passion, humility, and trustworthiness.
Team Execution & Operational Excellence
- Align team priorities with cross-functional partners (Breeding, Agronomy, Applied Research) to ensure seamless execution of trials and initiatives.
- Ensure teams consistently execute against best-in-class agronomic and research practices.
- Develop systems and processes that enable teams to efficiently manage labour, resources, and equipment.
- Champion a culture of data integrity, accountability, and operational discipline.
Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with key stakeholders to translate strategy into clear, actionable plans for the research farm teams.
- Influence enterprise decisions by ensuring teams deliver reliable, high-quality data and insights.
- Lead the adoption of innovative practices, technologies, and process improvements across research farms.
- Engage with external stakeholders, including growers, to demonstrate and scale successful practices.
Operational Oversight & Governance
- Provide leadership oversight of farm operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and adherence to company policies.
- Guide teams in maintaining accurate records, plant material tracking, and treatment documentation.
- Ensure effective budget management through team accountability and resource prioritisation.
- Oversee equipment management, safety programs, and facility standards through delegated team ownership.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with deep technical credibility, capable of building and scaling high-performing teams in a research-driven agricultural environment.
Experience & Knowledge
- Bachelor’s degree (8+ years experience) or Master’s degree (5+ years experience) in Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, or related field.
- Demonstrated success leading teams in agricultural, research, or operational environments.
- Experience in people management, coaching, and organisational development.
- Strong foundation in agronomy, plant physiology, and crop production systems.
- Experience with budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning.
- Project management and process improvement experience.
- Familiarity with agricultural research and trial execution preferred.
- Berry/soft fruit production experience is highly desirable.
Core Leadership Competencies
- People Leadership & Talent Development – Builds strong teams, develops future leaders, and fosters engagement.
- Communication & Influence – Clearly aligns teams and effectively partners across the organisation.
- Performance Management – Drives accountability, execution, and results.
- Strategic Thinking – Connects day-to-day work to enterprise goals.
- Operational Excellence – Implements scalable processes and continuous improvement.
- Innovation Mindset – Encourages experimentation and adoption of new technologies.
- Collaboration & Team Building – Creates alignment across functions and stakeholders.
Compensation & Benefits:
The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors. Salary Range estimated for the Test Plot Manager: £45,000 to £60,000 GBP.
Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes, amongst others:
- Health + Time Off: Strong health benefits and meaningful paid time off.
- Financial + Wellbeing: Employer supported annual profit-sharing bonus, retirement or savings programs and wellbeing resources.
- Community + Balance: Join a team that invests in your wellbeing and gives you time to give back.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Extra help when life gets complicated.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities to acquire business, job-based, and leadership skills.
Note: Benefits and eligibility vary by location/role. Additional country-specific benefit information is currently being developed in our career site; details are provided during the application process.
Research & Development Farm Manager in Maidstone employer: Driscoll's
Driscoll's is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional growth, the company offers extensive development opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including health support, financial wellbeing initiatives, and meaningful paid time off. Located in a vibrant agricultural setting, this role not only allows you to lead a high-performing team but also contributes to innovative practices that shape the future of berry production.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Development Farm Manager in Maidstone
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Driscoll's often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Development Farm Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Driscoll's does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Driscoll's
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Driscoll's will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Driscoll's.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Driscoll's.
