UK Commercial Lead - Seed Potatoes

UK Commercial Lead - Seed Potatoes

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced seed potato professional ready to take ownership of a UK commercial operation and shape its future growth?

Do you have a strong UK potato industry network and the commercial drive to grow seed sales and develop new market opportunities?

Are you looking for a senior, autonomous role where you can lead UK commercial strategy while staying close to growers, customers and the potato supply chain?

Location of the Job:

UK Based - Home & Field-Based

Salary & Benefits Package:

Competitive salary and benefits package

Flexible and autonomous working approach with travel across key UK potato growing regions

Opportunity for international travel

Opportunity to establish, develop and lead the UK commercial operation of an established European potato breeding and seed business

About the Company:

Our client is a highly established European potato breeding and seed business with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and variety development.

Operating internationally, the organisation breeds, multiplies and distributes an extensive portfolio of potato varieties across table, processing and specialist markets.

As part of its continued international growth strategy, the company is investing in the development of its UK presence, building upon existing customer relationships while developing new commercial opportunities, seed supply and multiplication partnerships across the UK market.

UK Commercial Lead - The Job Role Details:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a UK Commercial Lead - Seed Potatoes to lead and develop the company's UK commercial operation.

This is a rare senior-level opportunity to take genuine ownership of the UK market, with significant autonomy to help shape the commercial strategy and future direction of the business.

You will be responsible for driving seed potato sales, developing existing and new customer relationships, establishing supply and multiplication partnerships and supporting the successful introduction and commercial development of potato varieties within the UK.

Working closely with the wider European business, you will combine strategic commercial leadership with a hands-on presence across growers, customers and the wider UK potato supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive sales and commercial growth of seed potato varieties across the UK market
Develop and manage relationships with growers, seed producers, packers, processors and key industry stakeholders
Manage and grow existing customer accounts while identifying and securing new commercial opportunities
Develop opportunities across seed production, multiplication and end markets
Identify and develop relationships with UK seed growers and multiplication partners
Establish and develop the company's UK commercial operation and supply chain
Coordinate UK seed availability, logistics, commercial planning and market development
Organise and oversee UK variety trials in collaboration with growers
Provide commercial and technical insight on variety performance and positioning
Support the introduction and commercial development of new varieties within the UK
Represent the business at industry events and within key potato industry networks
Monitor UK market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements
Act as the UK commercial lead, providing market insight and contributing to the long-term strategy of the business

Essential Candidate Skills & Experience:

Strong commercial and sales background within the potato industry
Proven experience within the seed potato sector, ideally encompassing breeding, seed production, multiplication, trading or variety development
Established network within the UK potato supply chain
Strong understanding of seed potato production, multiplication and commercial markets
Good knowledge of potato varieties, variety performance and commercialisation
Proven ability to develop new commercial opportunities and long-term customer relationships
Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills
Commercially driven, self-motivated and comfortable taking ownership of a developing market
Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on
Comfortable working autonomously within a home and field-based position
Willingness to travel across the UK and internationally when requiredDesirable:

Knowledge of UK potato variety trials and agronomy
Experience working directly with seed growers and multiplication programmes
Understanding of table, packing and processing potato markets
Experience of international seed potato markets
Exposure to European potato breeders, seed houses or genetics businesses
Previous senior commercial or leadership experience

How to Apply:

Please click on the "apply now" button. As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, all applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role.

Key Words:

UK Commercial Lead, Commercial Director, Commercial Manager, Head of Commercial, Seed Potatoes, Potato Industry, Seed Potato Sales, Potato Breeding, Potato Varieties, Seed Production, Seed Multiplication, Business Development, Agriculture Jobs, UK Farming, Agronomy, Crop Production, Sales Manager, Supply Chain

We thank all applicants who apply for this role; however, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. All applications will be handled in strict confidence and personal details will not be shared without prior consent.

About Us

Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide expert recruitment, headhunting, and job advertising services across agriculture, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education sectors across the UK and internationally
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed