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Job Purpose

We are recruiting a lead agronomist for our farm in Norwich (Farm2). The successful candidate will lead and develop the agronomy team at Farm 2 and work closely with a diverse team of colleagues to deliver high quality commercial crops.

This role will play a key role in developing the agronomy practices to ensure crop quality and yield meet the needs of our customers. Working closely with the operations, planning and technical teams the successful candidate will deliver a consistent supply of high quality produce.

The lead agronomist will manage the agronomy team to ensure all activities are performed on schedule and to the highest standards. Using best practice we will collect, collate, analyse data and implement data driven decision making to optimise crop production. A major element of the role is delivering the continuous improvement of our growing practices and the successful implementation of new product lines.

The individuals will have excellent organisational, communication and strategic skills, adding value in the following areas:

• Contribute to the design, implementation and management of the crop planning, controlling all input parameters to promote best in class produce to delight customers and promote Fischer Farms within the industry sector.
• Actively participating in the innovation of new product offerings, pairing system capability with suitable crops.
• Management and training of the agronomy team to ensure we have the depth and breadth of skills required.
• Data management
• Presenting to peers, colleagues, customers and stakeholders.
• Continually innovate, refine and improve the yield, quality, reliability, shelf life and availability of saleable crop, working effectively within the Operational site-based team.
• Identify opportunities to further develop Fischer Farms position within the sector through active engagement in industry forums and learning events.

Profile

This role requires an experienced vertical farmer or horticulturist with commercial acumen. They will need to be a plant expert who is skilled at setting and achieving goals, delivering value within complex projects. This needs to be a confident person who can work autonomously and who will own the problems in order to bring solutions.

• Relevant degree and 5+ yrs experience in a similar role.
• A combination of science education with strong focus on commercial acumen.
• Experience in growing commercial baby leaf and herb crops.
• Team management is highly desirable for this role.
• Experience in agribusiness, controlled environment agriculture and/or food production is considered to be a strong asset.
• High energy level with a confident personality that thrives on change and making impact.
• Data-oriented with the ability to interpret and effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and timelines.
• Good analytical skills, ability to collect, analyse and interpret agronomic data to inform decision making.
• Provide training and guidance to farm staff on best agronomic practices adapted to Fischer Farms growing system.
• Able to engage with external stakeholders like seed and substrate suppliers and customers.
• Desire to bring innovation and best-in-class business practices to the industry.

The USP’s of this essential role

• Fischer Farms offers an attractive role, a real challenge in a company with strong values and a vision to make the world a better place.
• Decision lines are short, you will be able to have quick impact, with the freedom of introducing changes and improvements, guided by the strategic direction.
• The candidate will have the opportunity to participate to the positive development of the image and growth of Fisher Farms.

As a critical member of the FF Agronomy team, this role is expected to support and contribute to the R&D team with regard to all matters impacting on health, yield and shelf life of the crop grown within the Fischer Farms facilities.