Trials Officer

Location: Lincolnshire

Crop Category Technologist (Trials Officer)

An established organisation within the UK horticultural and vegetable seed sector is seeking a Crop Category Technologist (Trials Officer) to join its commercial team. This role plays a key part in the research, development and advancement of crop varieties, while also supporting commercial and market-facing activities.

The Role

The Crop Category Technologist takes ownership of the research and development trials programme for an assigned crop category on a national basis. Working closely with crop managers, breeders, product managers and customers, the role bridges technical crop expertise with commercial insight.

Key areas of responsibility include:

* Planning, managing and delivering a comprehensive crop trials programme

* Evaluating trial results and making evidence-based recommendations on variety advancement

* Acting as a technical point of contact between breeders, product teams and the market

* Managing minor crops within the category, including customer interaction and sales administration

* Supporting commercial activities through market intelligence, stakeholder engagement and promotional input

* Design and execute crop trials in collaboration with crop managers, breeders and product managers

* Oversee trial establishment, husbandry and assessment, either directly or via colleagues and third-party partners

* Analyse and report trial data using agreed protocols and digital tools

* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry growing practices, specifications and competitor varieties

* Manage trial sample logistics, budgets and administration

* Build strong relationships with customers, stakeholders and internal teams

* Contribute to promotional materials, open days and industry events

About the Candidate

The successful candidate will be a motivated and organised professional with strong technical knowledge of the vegetable or produce sector, particularly within a defined crop specialism.

Essential requirements include:

* A relevant degree in horticulture, agronomy, plant science, marketing or a related field, or equivalent industry experience

* At least three years’ experience in a commercial and/or research and development environment

* Proven experience in trials management and variety evaluation

* Strong communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills

* Confidence working independently and cross-functionally in an international context

* Competence with CRM systems and digital tools

* Willingness to travel regularly, including overnight stays

Personal Attributes

* Proactive, high-energy and results-driven

* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

* Customer-focused with the ability to build trusted relationships

* Commercially aware with a continuous improvement mindset

* Ambitious, adaptable and collaborative

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically skilled professional to play a visible and influential role in crop development, variety advancement and market engagement within a forward-thinking organisation.

For a confidential chat about this vacancy or any others, please give Ian Reed a call or get your application in without delay via. this website quoting