Signet Consultant – Technical Services and Sales

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain and managed as an independent organisation (independent of both commercial industry and of Government).

Our purpose is to inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our vision is for a world-class food and farming industry inspired by, and competing with the best. Our philosophy is that levy payers are at the heart of what we do.

In order to deliver genuine levy payer focus there is a sector advisory committee (known as ‘sector board’) for each of the six commodity sectors represented by AHDB. Each sector board comprises levy payers, other stakeholders from the sector and independent members. The main AHDB Board has delegated the responsibility to each sector board to develop the most appropriate strategies to meet the challenges of the sector; to ensure the relevant levy rate is recommended in order to provide adequate funding for the required work; to monitor strategy implementation and to approve remedies where performance deviates from plan. The sector board members are appointed by AHDB.

Team/department purpose

Signet Breeding Services provide genetic evaluations to performance recording beef and sheep livestock farmers to help them identify cattle and sheep with superior breeding potential.

A key service undertaken by Signet is the provision of an ultrasound scanning measurement service to assess muscling and fatness in sheep and cattle.

Role responsibilities

Signet consultants have an important role within AHDB developing and promoting Signet’s performance recording services.

This position has two specific roles:

1. To get more pedigree sheep (and on occasions beef) producers actively engaged in the use of Signet’s performance recording service

• Lead the development of recruitment strategies and sign up of individual breeders to Signet
• Develop relationships with Breed Societies
• Develop promotional materials that encourage participation in performance recording
• Handle contacts from new clients

2. Oversee the delivery of Signet’s ultrasound scanning service

• Manage the Signet ultrasound scanning team. This activity includes monitoring the hours worked by the team, undertaking performance reviews, setting objectives, monitoring income generated and servicing the equipment used by the team
• Ensure ultrasound scanning is carried out in an efficient and accurate manner
• Responsible for overseeing farm biosecurity and health and safety within the technician team

Person specification

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Agriculture or equivalent industry experience
• Understanding of Sheepbreeder and Beefbreeder to intermediate level (training will be given)
• Extensive experience and knowledge of the UK sheep industry, including abattoir requirements
• Driving Licence – with willingness to travel long distances and undertake overnight stays away from home
• IT skills including Outlook Good inter-personal skills, including ability to effectively work on own and as part of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• An understanding of the principles of ultrasound scanning for muscle and fat depth
• Experience in a sales-related profession
• Experience of UK beef sector an advantage
• Skilled in handling live cattle and sheep

Closing date: 18th June 2019

Interview date: 5th July 2019

Please note to apply you must be a British citizen or be eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.

To apply for this role, or for more information, please click the apply button.