Head of Research and Innovation - Hessle

Location: Hessle
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

About the Role

Cranswick Farming, part of Cranswick, is the leader in pig production in the UK. We're looking for a driven and experienced Head of Research and Innovation to play a key leadership role in driving continuous improvement against our overall business

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a strong presence across the business. You will promote best practice, drive performance, and support the ongoing development of the research, technical and innovation teams, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, compliance, productivity, and team engagement are consistently achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and day to day management of the research, technical and innovation teams
• Deliver the business strategy, ensuring full compliance with legislation and customer standards.
• Stay ahead of changes in regulations and industry standards to proactively manage risks.
• Ensure trials deliver robust, commercially representative performance data
• Set standards for data quality, evidence generation and reporting
• Generate trusted data and evidence to support business strategy
• Build, mentor and lead a high performing team
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to achieve business KPIs
• Represent the organisation with external stakeholders, boards and industry groups

What we're looking for:

You'll be a passionate and knowledgeable leader who brings:

• Proven experience in senior research and/or innovation roles within the food or agricultural industry and ideally 5+ years' leadership experience in R&D environments
• Strong knowledge of technical legislation, retailer standards and audit requirements.
• A detail-focused, improvement-driven mindset with strong commercial awareness and the ability to align trials activity to market and customer needs
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to lead from the front and influence change.
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Experience in embedding operational processes, standards and frameworks
• Able to prioritise workloads and make effective decisions at pace
• The confidence to challenge, influence and lead at senior level

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary (discussed at application stage).
• Share Save Scheme - purchase company shares at a discounted rate.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Employee discounts at major high street retailers and supermarkets through our company benefits portal.
• Opportunity to join a progressive and growing business with a strong focus on operational excellence, animal welfare, and employee development.

A full job description is available upon request. Salary to be discussed at the interview stage.

To apply, please submit your covering letter and CV to:

Closing date: 15 th of August. Please note that if a suitable candidate is found, this closing date may be brought forward.