Crop Trials & Validation Lead

The UK Agri-Tech Centre

About The Position

This role is responsible for the development, management, and delivery of crop trials and technology validation activities. The goal is to support agri-tech business growth and product adoption by generating trusted data and information from UKATC facilities. The position also supports the development and delivery of a range of UKATC projects across the crop sector. The team's purpose is to help innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real-world environments, generate data to demonstrate reliable performance at scale, and provide evidence for business development and growth. This includes proving the relative advantage and ROI of products in operational environments.

Requirements

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 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

Nice To Haves

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

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
Develop and enhance UKATC crop Test, Trial and Validation Capability
Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met
Oversee trial and delivery work for the crop sector for UKATC
Deliver activities within time and budget
Ensure UKATC delivers commercially representative trials
Develop, roll 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 time 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
Line management of Trials and Validation Coordinator
Key contact point for agri-tech business, farmers/growers/supply chain relevant to crop sector