Our client, a market leading business based in West Kent, are seeking a Head of Crop Production to undertake the following duties:



KEY PERFORMANCE AREA



Lead and direct the strategic objective of ensuring our growers are sustainable and providing them with industry leading services whilst producing the very best fruit for our customers and the consumer.



PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES



· Co-ordinate and influence the group?s overall production information and forecasts, incorporating individual growers plans in to our production plan aimed at meeting the markets demands and our strategic development.



· As the plant and propagation lead in the business to manage plant order forecasting and the management of the planning and distribution of proprietary plant material to our growers in both soft and stone fruit. To follow up on plant claims & quality issues.



· Key relationship manager working closely with our strategic partners in plant propagation and overseeing our five-year nursery plans.



· Lead the team of agronomists and our crop production bulletin, under the management of our Agronomy Manager.



· Design, our programme of educational visits, farm walks and benchmarking to define and promote best practice and continuous improvement.



· Scope and manage the blueprints for test plots in which we assess the performance of new varieties and growing techniques.



· Define strategy for the evolving requirements of the grower services team and laboratory providing scientific support to our growers.



· Horizon scanning on crop production developments and representation in our Grower research advisory panel.



The ideal candidate will have:



· Evidence of extensive experience working in a comparable role, preferably within the soft fruit industry / in horticultural production and / or crop advice.



· Strong appreciation of our business needs and resourcefulness in coming up with solutions to their challenges.



· Ability to relate to key client personnel in a professional and credible fashion.



· Well-developed personal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a wide range of employees.



· Good interpersonal skills and well-developed leadership and management skills.