Programme Manager - Top Fruit

Key Responsibilities
* Manage the apple and pear breeding pipeline from initial crossings through to advanced selections.
* Coordinate trials across multiple orchards, tracking performance metrics (yield, taste, storage, disease resistance, visual appeal).
* Liaise with breeders, geneticists, and trial partners to evaluate and progress promising varieties.
* Maintain detailed records of trial results and produce regular progress reports.
* Oversee day-to-day management of trial orchards and commercial test plantings.
* Ensure trial sites are properly resourced, monitored, and compliant with agronomic and sustainability standards.
* Work with growers and orchard managers on planting schedules, tree health, pest and disease control, and orchard grading systems.
* Manage installation and utilisation of orchard grader technology to capture QC and yield data.
* Act as the main point of contact for UK and international retailers regarding varietal development programmes.
* Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations showcasing trial results, consumer insights, and commercial potential.
* Coordinate retailer visits to orchards and trial sites.
* Gather and integrate retailer feedback into breeding and development strategy.
* Develop and manage multi-year programme timelines and budgets.
* Track milestones and ensure on-time delivery of breeding, orchard, and commercial objectives.
* Collaborate with internal teams across (import, QC, commercial, marketing).
* Report progress to senior management and stakeholders, providing clear updates on risk, opportunity, and next steps.
* Liaise with producer organisations (e.g., AGPO) on funding, reporting, and repayment schemes.

Skills & Experience

• Strong programme/project management skills (multi-year planning, budgeting, stakeholder engagement).
• Background in horticulture, agriculture, plant breeding, or fresh produce supply chains preferred.
• Commercial awareness of UK and European retail produce markets.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage retailers and growers alike.
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing trial data, QC dashboards,
• and financial reporting.
• Strong relationship-management skills across growers, breeders, retailers, and internal teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint), with experience in ERP/prophet systems an advantage.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and adaptable.
• Able to balance scientific rigour with commercial pragmatism.
• Passion for horticulture, sustainability, and bringing new products to market.
• Comfortable working in orchards, boardrooms, and everything in between.

(INDPERM)