Agronomy Research Manager

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Position Title: Agronomy Research Manager

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time ​

Position Location: Scarborough or Whittlesey / Hybrid

Grade: Grade 06 

Requisition ID: 27471 

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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.

Come and shape the future of Agriculture at McCain!

JOB PURPOSE

You will manage the agronomy research Innovation pipeline, including internal and external research trials/ projects, innovation demonstration hub sites and storage hub.

The aim is to deliver on Global yield improvement targets, regen ag adoption targets and maximise Sustainable Cost Advantage (SCA) for potato agronomic practices.      

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.  Working closely with Head of Agronomy and Applied Research to formulate a program of research to deliver yield improvement, regen adoption and SCA targets. 
   1. In collaboration with external subject matter experts (SME’s), research organisations and the wider agronomy team, develop a plan for small plot trials and research program using in-house, external and Innovate UK projects trials.
   2. In collaboration with the Senior Agronomist, wider agronomy team and SME’s, develop plans for the innovation demonstration hub and storage hub trials.     
2. To fully cost and maintain budget for the research programs and demonstrations in collaboration with the Senior Agronomist. 
3. To provide a plan for resource requirements of the McCain trials team to enable the Variety Development Agronomist and Agronomy Trials Manager to prioritise resource allocation.  
4. Management of the trials program to ensure delivery of targets.
5. Working closely with Head of Agronomy and Applied Research, Senior Agronomist and SME’s, analyse and report on the trials program; and deliver the key messages to the grower base through the KE program.   
6. Working closely with the Head of Agronomy and Applied Research, report on GB and Global performance against targets to the wider GB agriculture team and the Global agronomy function.  
7. Network globally with research organisations, SME’s and internally with global and regional agronomy dept to:
   1. Identify areas for future innovation requiring further research.
   2. Identify projects/funding opportunities for McCain GB research.
   3. Identify internal experts in fields of agronomy interest. 
8. Contribute to the overall agronomy strategy as a key member of the team.

ABOUT YOU.

KEY QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCES:

1. 5+ years of agronomy research trials including Potato research – Essential
2. Interest in potato research and regen ag – Essential
3. Understanding of the wider potato industry especially in the context of regen ag - Desirable   
4. Experience of trials protocols and statistical analysis – Desirable
5. Track record in communicating to growers and agronomists. – Desirable
6. Experience of managing a technical team. – Desirable

Knowledge

1. Potato production and agronomy – Essential
2. Regenerative Agriculture – Desirable
3. Degree BSc (Hons) Agriculture or a biological science. – Essential 
4. PhD in potato related subject or post doctorial research in potatoes. – Essential
5. BASIS and FACTS – Desirable
6. Excellent level of computer literacy in Microsoft Office – Essential
7. Full clean driving licence – Essential
8. Other Regen ag related training courses – Desirable
9. Potato research trials work and associated protocols – Essential
10. Statistical designs and analysis – Essential

Skills

1. Excellent verbal written and communication skills – Essential
2. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the industry (growers to academics) – Essential
3. Capability to manage complex data sets and make decisions. – Essential
4. The ability to manage technical teams and achieve targets within time constraints. – Essential
5. Good time management and ability prioritise. – Essential
6. High level of computer literacy in Microsoft Office – Essential
7. Data analysis capability – developing crop intelligence – Essential
8. Complex relationship management - Desirable

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

You’ll be pleased to know we don’t pay you in ‘chips’. As well as a competitive salary we also have some ‘a-peeling’ benefits including:

• A great pension plan — and we’ll pay double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your pay
• Flexible holidays — with the option to buy & sell up to 5 extra days per year
• ‘Chips In’ Volunteering Day Off — to make a positive impact in McCain communities across the globe
• Optional health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunities to relocate in the future — we’re a worldwide business, so the opportunities are there for those who seek them

Where will i work? 

Being in the office every single day is a thing of the past. Here at McCain, we champion hybrid working. This means we don’t have a set expectation of exactly when you need to be in the office – however we would like to see you on a weekly basis as that’s the best place for us to build and maintain our connections. Our head office (Customer Experience Centre) is on the outskirts of Scarborough – 1.5 hours away from Leeds City Centre, and about an hour from York. We have lots of colleagues who travel to and from our Experience Centre (even if it is just for a good coffee!) and because hybrid really does mean hybrid at McCain, they get the opportunity to collaborate with their colleagues when they’re in the office, and balance that with working from home to ensure they get a good life-work balance.

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McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace.  As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. 
 
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 know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The health and safety of McCain employees and their families has been our number one priority since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccination restrictions easing across the globe we do not currently require employees to be vaccinated, but we reserve the right to change this mandate in line with health guidance and regulations in each country.
 
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Privacy Policy 

Job Family: Agriculture      
Division: GB Agriculture 
Department: ​GB Agriculture ​
Location(s): GB - United Kingdom : England : Scarborough || GB - United Kingdom : England : Whittlesey 

Company: McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd 

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