Head of Commercial Operations

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:
This role can be based anywhere in the UK (hybrid & field-based)

UK and European travel required

Salary & Benefits Package:

Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with 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?

About the Company:
Our client is a well-established European potato breeding and seed business with a strong reputation for innovation and variety development. With operations across Europe, the company is focused on long-term growth and expanding its presence within the UK market.

As part of this growth strategy, the business is strengthening its UK footprint, building on an existing customer base while introducing new and improved potato varieties to the market.

Head of Commercial Operations – 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.

Key Words:
Head of Commercial Operations, Commercial Manager, Seed Potatoes, Potato Industry, Business Development, Agriculture Jobs, UK Farming, Agronomy, Crop Production, Sales Manager, Supply Chain

We thank all applicants who apply for this role; however, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. All applications will be handled in strict confidence and personal details will not be shared without prior consent.

About Us
Established in 2013, Agricultural and Farming Jobs provide expert recruitment, headhunting, and job advertising services across agriculture, horticulture, food and fresh produce, veterinary, animal health, agrochemicals, machinery, technical and engineering, and specialist education sectors across the UK and internationally