About the Company
The James Hutton Institute (JHI) is one of the UK's leading research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science to partners across the globe. It’s focus is solely committed to aspects of environmental sustainability, food security and the rural economy. The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work life balance and a truly thriving environment for all our employees. Furthermore, we are strongly committed to a set of values and principles that foster a culture of trust, respect, creativity, self-development and accountability.
James Hutton Limited (JHL) is the commercial subsidiary of the James Hutton Institute and it's role is to translate, connect and promote the full capabilities of the Institute to the benefit of the wider industry.
Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join James Hutton Limited’s commercial team as a full time Trials Manager. To work alongside academics and scientists, and to meet the increasing needs for agricultural and horticultural crop trials particularly in regards plant protection, crop husbandry, agrochemicals and new crop varieties.
Role Overview
As Trials Manager, you will be at the very heart of JHLs efforts to develop and deliver new and effective crop trials that seek to combat some of the UKs most damaging pests and diseases. You will be responsible for establishing the details and protocols behind proposed trials and subsequently monitoring the quality and progress of acquired contracts. Responsible for the capture, design, organisation and analysis of an array of incoming and commercially sensitive crop trials, you will work closely with the institute’s existing farm team, plant breeders and scientists to ensure the delivery of high-quality contracts, conducted in service of strong science and rigorous data collection to ensure satisfied clients.
Becoming an integral member of James Hutton Limited team, we are looking for someone with passion and flair for both developing and expanding this role. You will be open minded, entrepreneurial and harbour a positive can-do attitude. You will take a proactive approach to making sure crops trials are well executed from start to finish and ensure results reported to world-class standards.
Main Purpose of Job
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Organise, coordinate and perform a wide range of crop trial type and pre-breeding activities for- existing contracts
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Securing the delivery of a range of potentially new indoor and outdoor trials, data collection and annual reports to internal and external customers.
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Assisting the resident plant breeders’ early generation breeding activities to support new and existing breeding contracts
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Assist in business development activities during non-peak months and to meet with potential clients and customers as needed
Main duties of post holder
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At all times, maintain Hutton’s strong Health & Safety culture and practices.
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Independently organise workload provided by either direct customers, plant breeders or any new incoming trials to complete all tasks to a high standard and in a timely matter, meeting deadlines where set.
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Assist in day-to-day plant breeding activities, particularly in regards creation of annual progeny seeds or plant seedlings for clients and subsequent germinations where necessary.
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Look to secure new business by attracting new crop, product, or demonstration trials. Develop quotes and proposals for crop trial enquiries.
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Co-ordinate and carry out a wide range of indoor and open field trial activities independently and within a team.
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Be responsible for overseeing trials activities, from liaising with estates teams who conduct land preparation, spraying, top dressing, seed/plant preparation, etc. to ensure the delivery of high quality trials and data. Suggest improvements in equipment and practices where necessary.
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Ensure correct usage of equipment to produce accurate trials data.
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Complete and keep all appropriate company and regulatory records, including usage/maintenance sheets, planting/drilling information and crop pesticide application records to ensure EPPO,ORTEO, GAP or GEP accreditations where necessary.
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Attend regular meetings to discuss workload, share knowledge, identify and resolve problems and raise any health and safety issues.
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Assist with any other reasonable request to fulfil business needs.
Qualifications/Knowledge
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Experience with field work and/or design of crop studies or trial is essential.
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Necessary farming, agriculture or horticulture experience expected.
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Proficiency in statistical methodologies is preferred.
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Degree in agriculture science or agronomy or equivalent.
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Exceptional candidates without degree with extensive trials experience may be considered
Experience
Practical in field and/or indoor experience of raising mixed crops is highly desirable.
Experience of working in potatoes, cereals, soft fruit or horticulture advantageous.
Experience working in agriculture/horticulture, glasshouses, or with plants.
Experience in crop husbandry and agronomy.
Experience or understanding of BASIS and/or FACTS
Skills
A confident self-starter, team-worker and problem-solver.
An ability to perform a wide range of field trial activities to a high standard and be capable of working independently and unsupervised.
Ability to manage multiple projects, over differing timescales at the same time.
Ability to design trials and trial layouts and troubleshoot trial problems
Ability to plan and manage temporary seasonal labour as required
An ability to interact with others in a range of field trial activities from academics, farm managers, customers and technical consultants and government officials (eg. Plant health inspectors, import/export agents)
Ability to produce and handle plant passports for import and export of plant material as required
Good communication skills, verbal, written and presenting.
High attention to detail.
Accurate record keeping.
Good literacy and numeracy skills.
Good planning and organisational skills.
Good level of computer literacy, particularly use of Microsoft Excel, including a familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
Equally capable of working alone or as part of a team.
An ability to work in an office environment, in the glasshouse and out in the field.
James Hutton Limited is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
As they are under-represented in this area of our work we would particularly welcome applications from women.
Benefits offered
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.
Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.
Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.