Head of Commercial Operations - UK (Potatoes)

Overview

Head of Commercial Operations - UK (Potatoes)

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Location of the Job: UK - ideally Lincolnshire / Scottish Borders (hybrid & field-based)

Salary & Benefits Package: £60,000 - £80,000 (negotiable depending on experience); Flexible working approach with travel across key UK growing regions; Opportunity for international travel; Opportunity to build and lead a UK business within an established European organisation

Are you ready to take full ownership of a UK commercial operation and build it from the ground up within a leading European potato breeding business?

Do you have the network, knowledge, and drive to grow seed potato sales and shape the future of variety adoption across the UK market?

Are you a commercially minded potato professional looking to step into a strategic leadership role while staying close to customers, crops, and the supply chain?

The Job Role Details

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Commercial Operations to lead and develop the UK business. This is a rare opportunity to build a commercial operation from the ground up within a progressive and forward-thinking organisation.

In this role, you will take full ownership of UK activities, driving sales, developing key accounts, establishing supply chains, and building strong relationships across the potato value chain. This is a hands-on leadership position, requiring a commercially driven individual who can operate strategically while remaining closely connected to customers, production, and market activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive sales of seed potato varieties across the UK market
• Develop and manage relationships with growers, packers, processors, and key industry stakeholders
• Identify and secure new commercial opportunities across seed production, multiplication, and end markets
• Manage and grow existing customer accounts while building long-term partnerships
• Establish and develop UK operations, including infrastructure and supply chains
• Coordinate logistics, planning, and market entry strategies
• Organise and oversee UK variety trials in collaboration with growers
• Provide technical support and insight on variety performance and positioning
• Represent the business at industry events and within key networks
• Act as the UK lead, providing market insight and contributing to long-term strategy

Essential Candidate Skills & Experience

• Strong commercial and sales background
• Proven experience within the seed potato sector (breeding, multiplication, or trading)
• Established network within the potato supply chain
• Strong understanding of variety performance and commercialisation
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on
• Willingness to travel across the UK

Desirable

• Knowledge of UK variety trials and agronomy
• Experience of international seed potato markets
• Exposure to European breeders or genetics companies

Working Hours

Full-time position with a flexible and autonomous working pattern, aligned to business needs and seasonal demands

How to Apply

Please click on the "apply now" button. As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, all applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role.