Varietal Development Manager
Home Based (UK)
Category: Soft Fruit
Salary: Up to £55,000 plus benefits
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking a highly organised and dynamic Varietal Development Manager to act as the strategic link between the organisation and strategic breeding partners. The successful candidate will oversee the development and management of varietal, clonal, and R&D trials across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring the introduction of innovative and improved varieties, aligning with stakeholder expectations and market demands.
Key Responsibilities:
* Serve as the primary strategic connection between our client and strategic breeding partners.
* Design, initiate, and organise varietal, clonal, and R&D trials internationally, in collaboration with breeding stakeholders.
* Efficiently disseminate progress reports on breeding programmes to all relevant stakeholders.
* Manage the release of new varieties from breeders to growers and end customers, coordinating closely with marketing teams.
* Develop and present strategic visions and updates on breeding focuses to key stakeholders.
* Create mid-season and end-of-season varietal performance reports.
* Regularly visit trial plots and breeding sites to monitor and evaluate genetic developments.
* Handle the importation, quarantine, and plant variety rights (PVR) of plant material.
* Maintain and manage intellectual property within high-health facilities globally.
* Establish and enforce best practices in plant propagation to maintain varietal integrity.
Stakeholder Management and Database Responsibilities:
* Allocate and manage financial documents and invoices related to varietal development.
* Maintain and update all data within the department's databases, ensuring accuracy and functionality.
* Generate and analyse reports, responding efficiently to requests from the team, customers, and growers.
Team Support and Company Compliance:
* Coordinate and support team visits to growers and propagators, domestically and internationally.
* Uphold company health and safety policies, participate in training, and support company initiatives.
* Ensure compliance with all legal and statutory obligations.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
* Proficient in English, both written and spoken.
* Experience with database management, report generation, and data analysis.
* Preferably experienced within the fresh produce industry, however not essential.
* High computer literacy, especially in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
* Strong interpersonal skills, capable of effective communication with a variety of stakeholders.
* Able to independently plan and prioritise workload, manage time effectively, and work under pressure with keen attention to detail.
Please do not hesitate to apply if you feel you have the skills and experience or contact matthew.marshall@eciselection.com or ellie.pearce@eciselection.com for further information.
DE&I
At Elliott Charles International Selection, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our identity. We thrive on diverse perspectives, ensure equal opportunities, and nurture an inclusive environment. Through education, policy reviews, and active feedback, we maintain our commitment. Discrimination has no place here. Our dedication to DE&I not only strengthens us but also contributes to a fairer world. We celebrate differences, fostering growth and innovation