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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in the Food and Drink sector, shaping education and commercial activities.
- Company: Plumpton College, a top provider of land, food, and environmental education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, pension scheme, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on professional development and community wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on learners and the food and drink industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in Food and Drink with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 59000 - 59000 £ per year.
Location: Plumpton College
Salary: Up to £59,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Closing date: 11/05/2026
Assessment Centre: 18/05/2026
Plumpton College is a leading provider of land, food and environmental education in the UK, set within the inspiring landscape of the South Downs National Park. We deliver high-quality vocational and academic programmes from Entry Level through to Master’s degrees across nineteen specialist subject areas, including agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, horticulture, equine studies, wine, food and drink, and environmental studies. Our work is guided by our core values — Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive and Enterprising — which shape our culture, our expectations, and our commitment to educational excellence.
We are now seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Food and Drink. This newly created, senior and highly influential post offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction, growth and long-term sustainability of one of the College’s most dynamic, industry-facing and commercially engaged divisions. As Director of Food and Drink, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across both curriculum delivery and commercial activity, ensuring our provision remains sector-leading, future-focused and closely aligned to industry needs. You will play a key role in shaping education and training for the food and drink sector at local, regional and national levels. You will also have oversight of key commercial enterprises, including the vineyard, winery, bakery and butchery operations, driving performance, innovation and engagement. In addition, you will identify and develop new areas of education provision and commercial opportunity, ensuring the division continues to grow, diversify and respond to emerging market.
In this role, you will:
- Set and deliver a clear three‑year strategic vision for Food and Drink, informed by labour market intelligence, sector trends and national priorities.
- Build and sustain strong partnerships with employers, industry bodies and key stakeholders, enhancing Plumpton College’s reputation as a centre of excellence.
- Lead, inspire and develop managers and teams, fostering a high‑performance culture and building leadership capability across the division.
- Ensure outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, championing innovation, learner engagement and high‑quality progression outcomes.
- Oversee curriculum and commercial activity, ensuring sustainable growth, effective use of specialist resources, and delivery against performance targets.
- Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement, using data, learner feedback and evaluation to maintain consistently high standards.
- Work strategically with Commercial, Marketing and operational teams to deliver high‑quality applied learner experiences and commercial outcomes.
- Contribute to wider College leadership, including governance, strategic development, recruitment and external engagement.
This is a strategic leadership role with significant scope to influence the future of food and drink education and skills development across the sector.
About you
We are seeking a collaborative, resilient and visionary leader with a strong commitment to student success and sector excellence. You will bring:
- Proven leadership and management experience, with the ability to inspire teams, develop managers and drive sustained improvement.
- A track record of leading change, raising standards and delivering strong learner outcomes and performance.
- Relevant academic or professional qualifications in Food and Drink or a related discipline, alongside teaching and/or assessing experience.
- Strong sector knowledge and industry insight within food and drink.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively.
- Strategic thinking, strong organisational skills and a commitment to continuous professional development.
You’ll benefit from:
We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency days. The role is eligible for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance. Staff also benefit from high‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive working environment. New colleagues benefit from a structured induction, a supported six‑month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in‑house Level 5 trained coaches. Employees also enjoy lifestyle and wellbeing benefits, including eligibility for a TOTUM and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme. Our commitment to wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through active EDI and Sustainability committees, regular staff events and social activities throughout the year.
We reserve the right to interview or close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis. Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Apply now to lead a flagship Food and Drink division and make a lasting impact on learners, industry and the wider sector.
Director of Food and Drink in Glasgow employer: Plumpton College
Contact Detail:
Plumpton College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Food and Drink in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Director of Food and Drink role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the assessment centre! Research common interview questions for leadership roles in education and food sectors. Practise your responses and think about how you can showcase your strategic vision and management skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, let your enthusiasm for food and drink education shine through. Share your ideas on innovation and how you can contribute to Plumpton College's mission.
✨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 serious about joining the team at Plumpton College and making a difference in the sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Food and Drink in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Director of Food and Drink role. Highlight your leadership experience, sector knowledge, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food and drink education and how you align with our core values. Let us know how you plan to drive innovation and excellence in this role.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've led change and improved outcomes in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Plumpton College
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and challenges in the food and drink sector. Research Plumpton College’s current offerings and think about how you can contribute to their strategic vision. This will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven change in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you’ve implemented that resulted in improved outcomes, as this is crucial for a Director position.
✨Engage with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Plumpton College’s core values: Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive, and Enterprising. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss this during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the college's future. Inquire about their plans for growth in the Food and Drink division or how they measure success in learner outcomes. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but also in the institution’s mission.