At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead crop trials and validation activities to support agri-tech innovation.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation driving change in the agri-tech sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, flexible hours, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a forward-thinking team with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agri-tech while developing your career in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in crop systems, leadership, and project management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Job purpose
- Development, management and delivery of crop trials and technology validation activities
- Support agri-tech business growth and agri-tech product adoption via the generation of trusted data, evidence and information from UKATC facilities.
- Support the development and delivery of a range of UKATC projects across the crop sector
Team purpose:
- Helping innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real world environments.
- Generate the data and information to demonstrate reliable performance at scale and provide the evidence needed to progress business development and growth.
- Provide relevant data information to prove relative advantage and ROI of product in operational environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on UKATC crop trial and validation activities
- Ensure UKATC platforms/test beds and trials capability for the crop sector are functional and effective
- Ensure high quality robust crop trials, data and evidence generation at UKATC
Strategic Responsibilities:
- Develop and enhance UKATC crop Test, Trial and Validation Capability.
- Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Oversee trial and delivery work for the crop sector for UKATC.
- Deliver activities within time and budget
- Ensure UKATC delivers commercially representative trials.
- Develop, role out and continually improve frameworks, processes and approach for data quality, protocols and evidence generation.
- Align UKATC crop trials and validation activities with agri-tech business commercial goals and IUK programme outcomes.
- Work with colleagues to build relationships with early adopters, value chain partners as appropriate
- Support continuous improvement within team
- Provide relevant information in a timely manner and of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders e.g. board, IUK as required.
- Represent the UKATC and its activities to a range of stakeholders
Leadership / People Responsibilities:
- Line management of Trials and Validation Coordinator
- Key contact point for agri-tech business, farmers/growers/supply chain relevant to crop sector.
What we are looking for
Essential:
- Extensive technical experience of the crop sector and systems
- Proven leadership in trials, validation or applied R&D environments.
- Experience in line management
- Experience with and involvement in programme management with multiple projects with interlinking stakeholders and priorities
- Track record in hands-on experience of R&D/ innovation crop trials in real world environments.
- Awareness of crop health & environmental regulatory frameworks and HSE practices
- Ability to critically assess evidence, identify gaps, and articulate limitations clearly.
- Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities.
- Effective customer/stakeholder management across a wider user base – including multi-partner projects.
- Team player, self-motivated.
- Strong communication skills to a range of stakeholders.
- Excellent time management.
- Able to prioritise workload and make effective decisions at pace when required.
- Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- Experience working alongside data, modelling, or measurement teams to support impact claims.
- Prior engagement with government agencies, research institutes, or industry bodies.
- Project Management Experience.
Additional Information
Technical / Professional Competencies:
- Degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy or a related field or equivalent commercial experience.
- In depth knowledge of R&D, agricultural trials.
Why join us?
You will be part of a pioneering organisation driving innovation in agri-tech, whilst working in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. There is opportunity to grow and develop within a newly established organisation, plus a range of benefits including:
- 33 days of annual leave with flexible public holidays allocation
- Flexible working hours
- 4x salary life assurance
- EAP with 24/7 helpline and expert advice service (legal, finance, health)
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme availability
- Fees for professional memberships
- Ongoing training and development
If you are ready for a role that truly makes an impact - join us and be part of something meaningful. We’d love to hear from you!
Crop Trials & Validation Lead employer: The UK Agri-Tech Centre
Join a pioneering organisation at the forefront of agri-tech innovation, where you will lead impactful crop trials and validation activities in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive benefits including 33 days of annual leave, flexible working hours, and ongoing training opportunities, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and rewarded. Be part of a team that values your expertise and supports meaningful advancements in the agricultural sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Crop Trials & Validation Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the agri-tech sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous crop trials and validation projects. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table. Remember, actions speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in working with them. You never know when an opportunity might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Crop Trials & Validation Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in crop trials and validation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at UKATC, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading trial activities, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past, especially in R&D or applied environments.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our innovative team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The UK Agri-Tech Centre
✨Know Your Crop Trials Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of crop trials and validation processes. Be prepared to discuss specific methodologies you've used in the past, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will show that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves line management and leading projects, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities, and how you’ve ensured that everyone is aligned towards common goals.
✨Showcase Your Data Savvy
Given the emphasis on generating trusted data and evidence, come prepared with examples of how you've worked with data in previous roles. Discuss any experience you have with data quality protocols and how you’ve used data to drive decision-making in crop trials.
✨Be Ready to Pivot
The job description mentions the need to pivot quickly to deal with new priorities. Think of a time when you had to adapt to changing circumstances in a project. Share how you managed the situation and what the outcome was, demonstrating your flexibility and problem-solving skills.
