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- Tasks: Lead exciting crop trials and collaborate with experts to advance vegetable varieties.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the UK horticultural and vegetable seed sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of crop development and engage with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree in horticulture or related field and experience in trials management.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a focus on innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An established organisation within the UK horticultural and vegetable seed sector is seeking a Crop Category Technologist (Trials Officer) to join its commercial team. This role plays a key part in the research, development and advancement of crop varieties, while also supporting commercial and market-facing activities.
The Crop Category Technologist takes ownership of the research and development trials programme for an assigned crop category on a national basis. Working closely with crop managers, breeders, product managers and customers, the role bridges technical crop expertise with commercial insight.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Planning, managing and delivering a comprehensive crop trials programme
- Evaluating trial results and making evidence-based recommendations on variety advancement
- Acting as a technical point of contact between breeders, product teams and the market
- Managing minor crops within the category, including customer interaction and sales administration
- Supporting commercial activities through market intelligence, stakeholder engagement and promotional input
- Design and execute crop trials in collaboration with crop managers, breeders and product managers
- Oversee trial establishment, husbandry and assessment, either directly or via colleagues and third-party partners
- Analyse and report trial data using agreed protocols and digital tools
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry growing practices, specifications and competitor varieties
- Manage trial sample logistics, budgets and administration
- Build strong relationships with customers, stakeholders and internal teams
- Contribute to promotional materials, open days and industry events
About the Candidate
The successful candidate will be a motivated and organised professional with strong technical knowledge of the vegetable or produce sector, particularly within a defined crop specialism. Essential requirements include:
- A relevant degree in horticulture, agronomy, plant science, marketing or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
- At least three years’ experience in a commercial and/or research and development environment
- Proven experience in trials management and variety evaluation
- Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills
- Confidence working independently and cross-functionally in an international context
- Competence with CRM systems and digital tools
- Willingness to travel regularly, including overnight stays
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, high-energy and results-driven
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Customer-focused with the ability to build trusted relationships
- Commercially aware with a continuous improvement mindset
- Ambitious, adaptable and collaborative
This is an excellent opportunity for a technically skilled professional to play a visible and influential role in crop development, variety advancement and market engagement within a forward-thinking organisation.
Trials Officer employer: Redfox Executive
Contact Detail:
Redfox Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trials Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the horticultural and vegetable seed sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! When you land that interview, be ready to discuss your experience with trials management and variety evaluation. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made evidence-based recommendations in the past. We want to see your passion for crop development shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company inside out! Understand their crop categories, recent projects, and market strategies. This knowledge will not only help you tailor your responses but also show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it shows us that you're keen on joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way in keeping your application top of mind!
We think you need these skills to ace Trials Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Trials Officer role. Highlight your technical knowledge in horticulture or agronomy, and don’t forget to mention any relevant trials management experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about crop development and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Be sure to connect your experiences with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, make sure to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. Whether it’s through your CV or cover letter, show us how you’ve successfully built relationships in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Redfox Executive
✨Know Your Crops
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of the specific crops you'll be working with. Understand the latest trends in horticulture and vegetable seed sectors. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful conversations with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in trials management and variety evaluation. Have specific examples ready that highlight your successes and how you've contributed to research and development projects. This will demonstrate your capability and fit for the role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to explain complex technical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, as you’ll need to bridge the gap between technical expertise and commercial insight.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s crop trials programme and their approach to market engagement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career goals. Plus, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your industry knowledge.
