Head of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries

ABOUT THE ROLE

Critical purpose of the role:

To set the strategy and lead the Partnership's Agriculture, Fisheries & Aquaculture Agenda. With accountability for creating the strategy and direction in line with the wider Partnership Ethics & Sustainability Framework and the strategic plans in each Line of Business. Set the Partnership's ethics & sustainability standards in supply chains, specifically for livestock, fresh produce, fisheries and aquaculture. Lead other SMEs with deep expertise, utilise their knowledge and ensure they understand how their contributions support this.

Prioritise and drive activities which will protect, enhance and differentiate the Partnership's position as a market leader in this area, and play a critical role in the overall leadership of the Ethics & Sustainability function.

Be the figure head of the strategic relationship between Waitrose and their Farmers, Growers and Fishers. Ensuring Waitrose builds and maintains a resilient supply chain.

Clearly defined strategic objectives, activities and metrics for agriculture, fisheries & aquaculture and contribute towards a cohesive overall Ethics & Sustainability strategy and the Partnership Plan.

Relevant policies in place with clear ownership and review process.

Relevant internal or supplier-based governance groups effectively managed to ensure implementation of relevant policies, standards and protocols.

Performance in area recognised by key NGOs; relevant customer perception metric(s) improves.

Financial and risk management for responsible sourcing.

Lead relevant internal or supplier-based governance groups effectively to ensure the implementation of the strategy, policies, standards and protocols.

Stakeholder Leadership & Governance:

Act as the principal relationship holder and "figure head" for the Waitrose brand with farmers, growers, and the entire supply chain. Lead governance groups to ensure delivery against sustainability objectives (e.g., net zero, Farming for Nature) and manage the reporting and progress against agricultural, aquaculture, and fisheries targets.

Represent the partnership's engagement for the Duchy Organics Board, and on all matters relating to farming, as the royal warrant, the Duchy board require.

Be accountable for the progress against agricultural, aquaculture and fisheries targets. including how they are managed and reported, building the Partnership's reputation in this space.

Progress against defined targets (including existing public commitments and the Waitrose Agriculture Plan) and defined additional targets as required.

Performance in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries metrics recognised by key NGOs; and relevant customer perception metric(s) are market leading.

That Partnership teams such as Farming for Nature have the access required and routes to delivering their plans within the farming and fisheries supply base.

Ensure JLP meets legal obligations and stakeholder expectations relating to external disclosure for areas of responsibility, including reportable and assurable compliance against policies & relevant legislative/regulatory requirements.

Budget, risk register and associated actions robustly managed.

High team satisfaction with development and succession planning in place.

Positive internal stakeholder relationships up to and including Board level. This includes within the supply base and across the farming and fishing industry.

Key Leadership

Competencies:

Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries

• Define and lead the visionary strategic direction for Responsible Sourcing, translating it into a commercial agenda that delivers superior business results and positive…