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- Tasks: Manage the supply of seed potatoes and ensure timely delivery to growers.
- Company: Join McCain, the UK's largest frozen potato company with a passion for quality food.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous car allowance, performance bonuses, flexible holidays, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values leadership, innovation, and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in agriculture, strong communication skills, and a hands-on approach are essential.
- Other info: Work in beautiful Montrose, with opportunities for growth and relocation within a global company.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Position Title: Seed Operations Manager
Position Type: Regular – Full-Time
Position Location: Montrose
Grade:Grade 06
Requisition ID:36672
There’s nothing beige about McCain…
Except our potatoes — and we’re extremely passionate about them.
When you join McCain, you’ll be joining the biggest player in the frozen potato game, bringing people together around the nation for over 60 years by sharing simple, delicious planet friendly food.
We’ve partnered with thousands of the country’s supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, hospitals, and schools to change the way people see the humble spud. It’s all about elevation and creating something better.
So, come and make your career at McCain Foods.
About the role
As the UK’s largest purchaser of British potatoes, McCain buys approximately 15% of the annual UK potato crop. We have a close relationship with over 220 potato growers across the UK, who grow the processing crops for our UK factories. To get the best quality and taste for our end consumers, we use 13 different varieties of potatoes.
At our potato business in Montrose, Scotland, we manage the full seed production cycle, from mini tuber to delivery of commercial seed to our processing growers in England.
Focused on our customer’s needs, you will manage the supply of around 32,000 tonnes of seed potatoes annually, from over 60 specialist seed potato growers across Scotland & England, ensuring the right potatoes are delivered, at the right time and at the right cost.
We’re looking for someone to come and join our Montrose team to manage the strategic supply of our seed potatoes.
- Overall responsibility for stock control and planning to ensure our seed availability is being maximised to its full potential.
- Management of our logistics & packaging, ensuring we have capacity at the correct time and at the right price.
- Being the main point of contact for McCain Foods personnel with regards to seed availability. A key player in the creation & action of our seed pipelines to meet short-term and long-term factory demand.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with all customers, from confirmation of seed requirements, matching grading to cover demand and ensuring our seed is delivered in good time and in excellent condition.
- Allocate grading to match customer orders. Maintain an even movement of tonnage from our suppliers throughout the season and ensure optimum grading resources can be utilised to cover peak demand in March/April.
- Management of our seed cutting plants, ensuring the correct quality and quantity of seed is delivered, cut, cured, stored and dispatched.
- Reconciliation of all contract see crops and preparation of grower payments
About you
With a proven track record of delivering results in fast-paced agricultural environments, you bring a strong blend of technical expertise, people leadership, and operational know-how. Your ability to engage teams, manage complex workflows, and adapt quickly to changing demands ensures smooth and efficient operations across intake, storage, grading, and dispatch. You’re both hands-on and strategic—equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to drive continuous improvement in a seed potato setting.
Key Strengths
We’re looking for a natural leader – someone who lives by our values (Family. Authentic. Quality. Trusted), who drives culture through everyday engagement and who can lead a team and be passionate about their development as well as their own.
Our leaders we also roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty – this is not a ‘clipboard manager’ position. We want someone who immerses themselves in the operation, getting right under the skin and always seeking out ways to keep winning.
You will also have:
- Technical experience of seed potato growing (or experience with other produce) with knowledge of the legislative requirements of growing and marketing of seed potatoes
- Knowledge of the structure of the potato industry in GB and Europe
- Strong computer skills including Word, Excel etc
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to strive in a fast paced demanding business
What’s in it for me?
Although we do encourage you to taste the goods you’ll be pleased to know we don’t pay you in chips. For working hard, you’ll also get a great salary and some pretty good benefits including:
- A generous car allowance
- Achievable personal and business performance-based bonus
- An excellent pension where we will pay double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your pay
- Flexible holidays – where you can buy & sell up to 5 days holiday per year
- Optional health cash plan
- Cycle to work scheme
- ‘Chips In’ Volunteering Day Off – to make a positive impact tothe long-term development of McCain communitiesacross the globe
And of course, being part of a Global business there are great opportunities to shine/thrive should you wish to relocate in the future. We have an impressive 5 year growth plan that presents development & progression opportunities for those who seek it out.
WHERE YOU’LL WORK:
Our Seed Operation is based in Montrose, a town situated 38 miles north of Dundee and 42 miles south of Aberdeen, Scotland. Not only does it have the world’s best potato seed operation (our opinion but probably fact!) it’s also lined with award-winning sandy beaches, cosy pubs, and the stunning Montrose Basin Nature Reserve.
You’ll spend most of your time on site, but there may also be the occasion where you’ll be out in the field visiting growers as well as the odd trip to our Experience Centre in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us knowand we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policyand Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. You can understand how your personal information isbeing handled here.
Job Family:Agriculture
Division:GB Agriculture
Department:Seed Operations
Location(s): GB – United Kingdom : Scotland : Montrose
Company:McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd
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Seed Operations Manager employer: McCain Foods
Contact Detail:
McCain Foods Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seed Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the potato industry in Great Britain and Europe. Understanding the market dynamics, key players, and legislative requirements will give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the agricultural sector, especially those involved in seed potato operations. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your hands-on experience by preparing examples of past projects where you managed complex workflows or led teams in agricultural settings. Be ready to discuss how you overcame challenges and drove improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Research McCain Foods' values and culture thoroughly. Be prepared to articulate how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around family, authenticity, quality, and trust, as this will resonate well during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Seed Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in seed potato operations or similar agricultural roles. Emphasise your technical expertise, leadership skills, and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the agricultural industry and your understanding of McCain Foods' values. Mention how your background and skills make you a perfect fit for the Seed Operations Manager role, and provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex workflows in the past.
Highlight Key Strengths: In your application, focus on the key strengths mentioned in the job description, such as your ability to engage teams and drive continuous improvement. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've embodied these qualities in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a fast-paced environment like McCain Foods.
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods
✨Know Your Potatoes
Familiarise yourself with the different varieties of potatoes and their specific uses. Understanding the seed production cycle and the importance of quality in seed potatoes will show your passion for the role and the industry.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to engage and develop team members, as this is crucial for a role that requires both hands-on management and strategic oversight.
✨Showcase Technical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your technical knowledge related to seed potato growing and the legislative requirements involved. This will demonstrate your capability to manage operations effectively and ensure compliance within the industry.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for liaising with growers and internal teams, so be prepared to showcase your ability to convey information effectively.
