Agronomist, Research & Technology Lead

McCain Foods; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Annual bonus scheme

Pension salary sacrifice

25 days annual leave

Life insurance

Hybrid working arrangements

Job summary

McCain Foods in Leeds is seeking an Agronomist, Research & Technology Lead to drive Farm of the Future strategies and apply tools like ISOBUS, GIS, and GPS for smarter crop production.

You will work with global teams to advance agronomy research, support autonomous machinery, and promote soil health and sustainable farming through data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering or related field.
• Master's degree would be an asset.
• Proactive learner with initiative and continuous development.
• Experience with potato production is an asset.
• Detail oriented, team player with good data skills.
• Experience in Python and related AI/ML tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the Farm of the Future agronomy plan with GB team.
• Build automated systems to capture field-level data and usage.
• Turn data into actionable operational insights for staff.
• Oversee integration of smart technologies, calibration and troubleshooting.
• Lead data collection for precision agriculture and day-to-day decisions.
• Analyze and report on farm data to drive improvement.
• Create detailed field maps using GIS and maintain activity histories.
• Support seed sizing, planting and harvesting with automated data capture.
• Stay updated on global agri-tech advances and implement new innovations.
• Provide technical solutions across seed cutting, treatment, spraying, and storage.
• Champion safety with the Lead Safety Coordinator and safety apps.
• Collaborate with Global teams to deliver research projects on farm.

Skills

Farm machinery

Emerging agri-tech

Data analysis

GIS

GPS systems

Pest & disease insight

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science/ Agriculture

Master's degree (asset)

Tools

ISOBUS

QGIS

Remote sensing

Geospatial data analysis

Yield prediction tools

Innovation management software

Job description

Position Title: Agronomist, Research & Technology Lead

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Requisition ID: 44315

Agronomist, Research & Technology Lead, Farm of the Future GB

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About The Role.

Reporting to the Manager of Farm of the Future, you'll lead our farm agronomy strategy and drive research that pushes agricultural productivity, sustainability and technology forward.

You’ll keep pace with emerging agri-tech and apply that knowledge to improve crop production and efficiency through smart agronomy, precision technology and regenerative farming. That means working hands‑on with tools such as ISOBUS, GIS and GPS systems, remote sensing, precision agriculture applications, geospatial data analysis, yield prediction tools and pest and disease decision support systems.

You’ll bring in external subject matter experts to make sure the latest agronomy thinking feeds into crop production, and work closely with the Global Farm of the Future, the GB Agronomy Team and the Farm Manager to deliver the agronomy plan. This includes supporting advanced machinery and technologies, from autonomous farm equipment to variable rate application of water, nutrients and pesticides, along with initiatives to improve soil health and crop quality.

Alongside the GB Agronomy Team, you’ll also support on‑farm research and share knowledge with growers, helping them work more efficiently and adopt more sustainable practices.

What You’ll Be Doing.

• Develop and deliver the Farm of the Future agronomy plan, working closely with industry SMEs and McCain's GB Agronomy Team to drive operational and agronomic excellence.
• Build and implement automated systems to capture field level data, including machinery usage, fuel consumption and labour hours.
• Work with farm staff to simplify on farm data capture and provide the tools needed to turn that data into useful operational insights.
• Oversee the integration of smart technologies, including software setup, equipment installation, calibration and troubleshooting, so equipment and technology are always ready when needed.
• Lead agronomy data collection, including precision agriculture, to support day to day farm management decisions, with a focus on automating data capture for greater accuracy and efficiency.
• Analyse and report on farm data to drive continuous improvement.
• Prepare detailed field maps and maintain thorough field activity histories using GIS technology.
• Support key farm operations such as seed sizing, planting and harvesting, with an emphasis on automation and accurate data capture.
• Keep up to date with global developments in agricultural technology and potato research, evaluating and adopting relevant innovations on farm.
• Provide practical technical solutions across seed cutting, seed treatment, spraying, harvesting and storage, including alerts to help maintain optimal storage conditions and support sustainable farming.
• Champion safety for yourself and the wider team in all activities, working with the Lead Safety Coordinator to implement safety related apps, tools and protocols.
• Work with the GB Agronomy Team, Global Farm of the Future Team and Global Manager of Research and Innovation to help deliver research projects successfully, acting as the on farm point of contact for external research partners.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful.

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A master's degree would be an asset.
• Highly self motivated, with a track record of taking initiative and a genuine appetite for continuous learning and development.
• Knowledge of and experience with farm machinery and emerging agricultural technologies.
• Understanding of field layouts, experimental design and research data analysis.
• A genuine passion for innovative research, learning new technologies and building new skills.
• Experience with potato production would be an asset.
• Detail oriented, dependable and positive, with the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with programming languages, preferably open source such as Python, along with familiarity with machine learning, artificial intelligence, QGIS and innovation management software, would be an asset.
• BASIS Qualified and a member of the BASIS Professional Register.

Benefits.

Although we do encourage you to taste the goods, you'll be pleased to know we don't pay you in chips. Alongside your salary, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including:

• Private healthcare [single]
• Annual bonus scheme based on both company and individual performance with the ability to salary sacrifice into your pension
• An excellent salary sacrifice pension scheme where we'll contribute double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your salary
• 25 days' annual leave from day one plus bank holidays (increasing with service), giving you plenty of time to recharge with the opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year
• Life insurance cover providing peace of mind for you and your family
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, because the moments that matter outside of work matter to us too
• Medicash health cash plan, helping you claim money back on everyday healthcare costs, with access to a virtual GP and wellbeing support
• TELUS Health employee and family assistance programme offering full wellbeing support - including a 24/7 confidential counselling line, legal and financial guidance, and a range of employee discounts.
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• A paid 'Chips In' Volunteering Day, giving you the opportunity to support projects that make a positive impact in our communities
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows

And because you're joining a global business, your career opportunities don't stop at the factory gate. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, step into leadership, or even explore opportunities internationally, we'll support your growth. With ambitious plans for the future, there's plenty of scope to develop your career with us.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities.

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain Experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office‑based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family‑owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Agriculture

Location(s): GB - United Kingdom : England : Leeds

Company: McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd