Company Overview

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain to help the industry succeed in a rapidly changing world. We want to create a world-class food and farming industry, inspired by and competing with the best. Our purpose is to make our agriculture and horticulture industries more competitive and sustainable through factual, evidence-based advice, information and activity: • We manage extensive research and development programmes which are delivering scientifically robust and commercially useful outcomes for our levy payers • We undertake efficient farm-level knowledge transfer programmes based on evidence, both from third-party science and our own R&D, aimed at improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability • We provide unbiased, high-quality market information that helps business decision making and improves supply chain transparency • We carry out export market development work and also domestic marketing activity to inspire and inform consumers in order to assist the economic viability of sectors which require this • We raise awareness of food and where it comes from among school children and we help ensure the agriculture and horticulture industries are able to develop and attract workers with the skills they need • We also ensure that proper account is taken of Government priorities for agriculture and the agri-food industry, where appropriate.

About the job

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Dairy Living Labs to work nationally across the UK and lead a small team. Flexibility to travel is essential along with a valid UK driving licence.

Working for AHDB, this role is responsible for the development and delivery of the Dairy Emissions Living Labs project (UK-DELL), which will test multiple carbon saving measures on commercial British dairy farms. The role holder will ensure effective linkages with other members of the consortium and the supply chain as well as internal teams to ensure successful delivery of the project and value for levy payers.

We are looking for applicants with extensive experience in the dairy industry, along with the technical expertise to build strong and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Strong leadership skills are also crucial to manage a field-based team and execute a comprehensive engagement plan to achieve successful delivery.

At the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), we inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won’t just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you’ll be helping shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Responsibilities

Lead the national programme of activities within UK-DELL, ensuring activity meets the defined project aims, objectives and timeline
Deliver UK-DELL activity within budget and provide accurate and appropriate reporting information to the senior leadership team, project lead partner and funders
Ensure key operational, business plan and project targets are achieved within the project
Develop and maintain a strong profile and connection with consortium members, providing industry representation
Lead the recruitment and management of the living lab farms ensuring regular liaison with their processors and retailers where required
Lead the development of the AHDB UK-DELL team to develop a comprehensive engagement plan to project participants
Collaborate with AHDBs Environment and Dairy Engagement teams to ensure key themes and outcomes of the project are communicated and built into wider strategy plans
Work with AHDBs Marketing and Communications and Dairy Engagement teams to communicate activities, best practice and outputs from the project
Take the lead on bringing together and managing the Living Lab Steering Groups
Ensure effective engagement with levy payers and stakeholders
Deliver proactive feedback mechanisms of levy payer facing activity which feed into project evaluation, AHDB priorities and strategy
Responsible for stakeholder / supply chain engagement on technical issues relevant to the project at a national level

Essential Criteria

Extensive technical experience of the Dairy industry and its stakeholder organisations, and hold a relevant degree or qualification in agriculture or related discipline
Experienced manager with proven track record of building a strong motivated team to deliver objectives
Proven track record and extensive experience of delivering effective knowledge exchange activity, including presenting at senior level to industry
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, to include government agencies and academic organisations
Extensive experience of managing significant budgets to high levels of governance
A valid full UK driving licence with the flexibility to travel to meetings across the UK as and when required

The benefits…

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities, to give you the recognition you deserve:

35 hours per week
33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
Life assurance cover (4 x salary)
A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
Recognition Awards throughout the year
Access to the Government’s tax-free childcare scheme
Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

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Head of Dairy Living Labs

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