Account manage a portfolio of agri-tech businesses aligned to the horticulture sector. This is a sector-aligned account management role, not a generalist business support role. The role will build trusted relationships with businesses in this area, understand their growth journey, adoption barriers and support needs. Through the broader range of account management functions within the business, the role will connect them to relevant investors, value-chain partners, test beds, trials, technical expertise, innovation programmes and market opportunities. Alongside direct account management, the role will act as UKATC’s horticulture sector lead, helping the wider business build a clear, current view of horticulture sector needs, sector priorities, emerging opportunities, relevant companies, partner relationships and where UKATC can add most value.
Key Responsibilities
· Manage a portfolio of agri-tech businesses operating in or serving the horticulture sector.
· Build trusted relationships through regular, purposeful engagement that helps UKATC understand each company’s stage, proposition, growth priorities, barriers and support needs.
· Identify and make appropriate connections into investors, value-chain partners, test beds, trials, technical expertise, innovation programmes and commercial opportunities relevant to horticulture businesses.
· Act as UKATC’s internal horticulture sector lead, maintaining a clear view of sector needs, market signals, innovation priorities, key companies, relevant partners and opportunities for UKATC engagement.
· Help UKATC maintain a current view of horticulture sector needs, priority opportunities, relevant companies and partner relationships, and act as an internal point of expertise for that sector.
· Capture and share insight on adoption barriers, evidence requirements, funding needs, commercial traction and emerging sector trends to inform UKATC’s wider business growth, engagement and strategic activity.
· Support colleagues across UKATC with horticulture sector knowledge, helping teams understand the landscape, identify relevant businesses and partners, and engage confidently with sector opportunities.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
· Strong account management, relationship management or business support experience, within agri-tech businesses, innovation-led companies or organisations operating in the horticulture sector.
· Good understanding of horticulture production systems and the commercial, environmental and adoption challenges facing businesses working in this sector.
· Understanding of early stage business growth, adoption challenges, investment readiness, customer discovery, routes to market and the role of evidence, trials and value-chain engagement in scaling agri-tech solutions.
· Ability to act as a credible internal point of expertise for the horticulture sector, gathering insight, coordinating internal knowledge and supporting colleagues with sector context, opportunities and relationships.
Agri-Tech Business Manager – Horticulture employer: The UK Agri-Tech Centre
As a Trials & Validation Coordinator at UKATC, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to supporting innovative agri-tech businesses in real-world environments. Located near York, the company offers a collaborative work culture with flexible hours, generous annual leave, and ongoing training opportunities, ensuring that employees can grow both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful projects that drive industry advancements.
