Agronomy Manager

Are you an experienced agronomist who's as happy out in the crop as you are planning programmes and leading operations?I'm recruiting an Agronomy Manager for an established UK vegetable seed business. They have a long-standing reputation for plant breeding, innovation and developing high-quality vegetable varieties.You'll sit within the Research & Development team and report to the Director of R&D. This is a varied, hands-on management role covering agronomy and the delivery of field, glasshouse, trial and seed production work at their site in Surrey.The role You won't spend all week behind a desk. You'll be closely involved with crops throughout the growing cycle, combining technical agronomy with operational leadership and practical problem-solving. Your work will include:Leading field and glasshouse operations across the company's UK sitesPlanning how vegetable trials and seed crops are established, managed and harvestedOwning crop agronomy, including nutrition, irrigation, crop protection, pest and disease management and weed controlDeveloping and overseeing spray and crop protection programmesWorking closely with plant breeders and R&D teams to deliver high-quality trials and accurate data Coordinating seasonal operations, labour, machinery, growers and contractorsKeeping accurate records and making sure work meets crop protection, environmental, regulatory and health & safety requirementsAbout you You might already be an Agronomy Manager. You could also be an experienced Agronomist, Trials Manager, Crop Manager, Farm Manager, Growing Manager or Seed Production professional who's ready for broader responsibility. Ideally, you'll bring:✅ Significant hands-on experience in agronomy, vegetable production, trials, plant breeding or seed production ✅ Experience managing field and/or glasshouse crops ✅ Strong knowledge of crop husbandry, nutrition, irrigation, pests, diseases and crop protection ✅ A good working knowledge of pesticide legislation and application requirements ✅ Practical experience operating tractors and agricultural machinery ✅ A relevant qualification in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture or Plant Science, or equivalent practical experience ✅ A full UK driving licencePA1 and PA6 are highly desirable, as is PA2 for tractor-mounted boom spraying. A BASIS qualification would also be an advantage.Above all, you'll be practical, organised and genuinely crop-focused. You'll need to be happy working outdoors and in glasshouses, and flexible with your hours during key periods of the growing, trial and seed production seasons.Accommodation can be provided