R&D Agricultural Science UK Field Trials Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Overview

PepsiCo R&D in Leicester is looking for R&D Agricultural Science UK Field Trials Manager.

Job Purpose

This exciting role sits within the Agricultural Science team, a core function that delivers research and development to support PepsiCo's billion-dollar global food brands, including Walkers, Lays, Doritos and Quaker. Our global team of scientists is at the heart of PepsiCo's pep+ mission - driving world class research, development and innovation in new crop technologies and practices that delivers for both people and the planet.

You will bring together your project management and research agronomy subject matter expertise to deliver research that drives innovation for PepsiCo's ingredient supply chain and unlocks data driven insights that connect a key UK research hub into wider global programs. You will focus on the delivery of research programs in the agronomic, breeding and ag-tech spaces for our core crops, focused on potatoes and oats.

This will include executing field trials to develop variety specific agronomic data, novel agricultural practices and validate cutting-edge technologies which will underpin the future of our PepsiCo supply chain while supporting the implementation and delivery of our PepsiCo Positive (pep+) goals across our global sourcing footprint.

Responsibilities

• Foundational subject matter expertise in field trials and agronomy in potato and cereals to support delivery of positive impact in our core and emerging crops, aligned to pep+ goals.
• Work collaboratively - both internally within Agricultural Science and with external suppliers and vendors - to enable the delivery of projects aligned to our People and Planet goals for Walkers, Lays and Quaker.
• Take ownership and accountability for field trials and research projects located at key UK locations, with expansion to European locations as our team and trialing requirements grow.
• A wide range of experience across multiple disciplines, including potato and oat agronomy, nitrogen optimization, microbiome, ag-tech and soil health.
• Be able to interpret and report experimental results and make recommendations based on observations, data analysis and consultation with other subject matter experts
• Negotiate contracts with external research collaborators, and hold them to account against agreed deliverables to ensure project timelines are met.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Accountability for budget estimates and tracking of spend against all projects with your control.
• Provide regular and timely project progress updates to key stakeholders to ensure continued alignment with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum MSc in Agriculture/Crop Science or equivalent, plus at least 4-5 years' experience in designing and executing field research projects with agronomy, ag-tech and/or sustainable agriculture.
• The above experience must include potato, ideally for the processing/crisping industry. Oats and/or corn would be an advantage. Experience in potato storage research would be advantageous.
• Experience in experimental design of field and lab-based experiments.
• Skilled in working with large datasets and statistical interpretation.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects to deliver specified goals.
• Innovative attitude demonstrated through past experience and track record.
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects within a project management framework.
• Demonstrated ability to explain complex scientific concepts to other scientists and to non-technical business partners.
• Experience of working with, and managing, external vendors.