Research & Development Farm Manager

About The Opportunity

The Research & Development Test Plot Farm Manager is a people-first leader responsible for building, developing, and leading a high-performing, technically skilled research farm team. This role drives excellence by aligning team capabilities, priorities, and execution with Driscoll’s innovation strategy, ensuring the successful delivery of experimental farming and research trials.

• Location:
  
  UK - Maidstone
• Job Family:
  Research & Development
• Time Type:
  Full time
• Job Requisition : R0008880
• Employee Type:
  Regular

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, engaged research farm team that consistently delivers high-quality trial execution and data.
• Enable team success by fostering strong technical capability, ownership, and accountability across all levels.
• Translate innovation strategy into clear team priorities and execution plans that maximize the potential of proprietary genetics.
• Strengthen organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure research farms serve as a center of excellence, influencing commercial practices and grower adoption.

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of research farm professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Build team capability by developing technical expertise, leadership skills, and career growth pathways
• Drive succession planning and talent pipeline development for key operational and leadership roles
• Establish clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance management, evaluations, and development planning
• Create an inclusive and motivating work environment that reflects Driscoll’s values of passion, humility, and trustworthiness

• Align team priorities with cross-functional partners (Breeding, Agronomy, Applied Research) to ensure seamless execution of trials and initiatives
• Ensure teams consistently execute against best-in-class agronomic and research practices
• Develop systems and processes that enable teams to efficiently manage labor, resources, and equipment
• Champion a culture of data integrity, accountability, and operational discipline

• Partner with key stakeholders to translate strategy into clear, actionable plans for the research farm teams
• Influence enterprise decisions by ensuring teams deliver reliable, high-quality data and insights
• Lead the adoption of innovative practices, technologies, and process improvements across research farms
• Engage with external stakeholders, including growers, to demonstrate and scale successful practices

• Provide leadership oversight of farm operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and adherence to company policies
• Guide teams in maintaining accurate records, plant material tracking, and treatment documentation
• Ensure effective budget management through team accountability and resource prioritization
• Oversee equipment management, safety programs, and facility standards through delegated team ownership

The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with deep technical credibility, capable of building and scaling high-performing teams in a research-driven agricultural environment.

• Bachelor’s degree (8+ years experience) or Master’s degree (5+ years experience) in Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, or related field
• Demonstrated success leading teams in agricultural, research, or operational environments
• Experience in people management, coaching, and organizational development
• Strong foundation in agronomy, plant physiology, and crop production systems
• Experience with budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning
• Project management and process improvement experience
• Familiarity with agricultural research and trial execution preferred
• Berry/soft fruit production experience is highly desirable

• People Leadership & Talent Development – Builds strong teams, develops future leaders, and fosters engagement
• Communication & Influence – Clearly…