The Head of Group  Agriculture is responsible for the Nomad Foods Agriculture department, sourcing fresh vegetables at required cost and quality and volume for Nomad branded demands. Managing c.150,000 tons across 30 different crop varieties, this role has direct impact on the P&L of our key business units.

Responsible for the creation of the strategy and delivery of vegetables to the group supply functions and market leading frozen brands; meeting the needs of the changing global agriculture and vegetable sourcing landscape. Leading the group agriculture team and operations across the core regions, UK, Germany, Italy, and Nordics, with extended responsibility to integrate the Adriatic’s  Agriculture operation as well as being responsible for the sustainable sourcing of group peas for key markets.  

Accountable for the production of high-quality vegetable crops from seed to factory, leading a team of regional agriculture managers and their field teams and supporting positions. Developing the management of long-term relationships with farmers and suppliers & the interface with the supply units, and key communications with MU’s as well as building on the brand’s agricultural heritage and creating and evolving an inclusive and diverse culture across the function. This role is required to recognise key industry pressures and consider the impact on the internal operations, identifying key opportunities to drive success and mitigate risks.

Scope to drive the future of agriculture at Nomad foods leading on the creation and implementation of sustainability frameworks and lighthouse initiatives, next generation agriculture technologies within our operations, whilst leading on and supporting the agriculture teams on delivering Agri purpose to the markets and consumers. Working closely as a thought partner and contributor to the future strategy of Nomad Food Agriculture. 

• Lead the end to end value creation strategy for agriculture, ensuring the function delivers competitive advantage across cost, quality, sustainability, and resilience from seed to finished goods.
  • Shape the long term agricultural sourcing model to maximise value for the business, identifying structural opportunities across growing, harvesting, logistics, processing, and supplier ecosystems
  • Embed agriculture as a strategic business lever, proactively partnering with Supply Chain, Commercial, Sustainability, Finance, to influence category roadmaps, innovation platforms, and P&L performance
• Support the development of strong supplier, grower and cooperative relationships across all regions
  • Underpinned with progressive policies and frameworks
  • Reinforcing production, quality and environmental standards
• Direct Line management to the Nomad team of 6 regional agriculture managers and leadership of the wider team agriculture team
• Delivery of vegetables to manufacturing facilities at the right time, meeting cost and quality targets
  • Oversee regional market demand to regional crop production plans, fully aligned with optimised factory plans
  • Communicate crop challenges to all stakeholders on an ongoing basis, flagging appropriate risk in real time in order to mitigate changes in supply plans and patterns
  • Focus on efficiency to manage cost and remain competitive throughout raw material supply chains
  • Budget management of the direct and indirect agriculture costs for the group and by region
  • Development and methods to increase yield with optimised inputs whilst enhancing quality
• Lead the team aligned with the Nomad Agriculture Research function to evolve agronomic and productivity initiatives to deliver increasingly resilient and sustainable supply of cost-conscious high-quality vegetables
  • Horizon scanning, review and implementation of new technologies in precision and regenerative agriculture
  • The development of digital initiatives and solutions to drive future proofed systems driving efficiency and collation of data for SBTi’s
  • Develop methods that optimise agricultural practices, focus on improving the 10 pillars of sustainable agriculture, enabling agriculture function to share best practice across the group
  • Drive to understand CO² footprint, plus water and energy use across the Agriculture operations
  • Align with the Head of Agriculture Research & Development in next generation plant breeding, genetics and soil science R&D and implementation in the field
• Maintain appropriate and responsible risk management culture for people and produce
  • Create a risk adverse culture within the team
  • Ensure food safety standards and processes are in place and adhered to
  • Ensure sustainability and CSR practices are applied and monitor key sustainability metrics
• Lead the Agriculture team to be best in class
  • Building capability, diversity and clear and defined succession plans in transparent talent management pathways, safeguarding key skills and subject matter experts
  • Understand and collaborate with other business functional area supporting the wider business
  • Communicate Nomad Foods agriculture purpose and strategy as a key differentiator and promote competitive advantage
  • Act as an ambassador for Nomad Foods in Agriculture and Sustainability
• Lead EndtoEnd Value Creation Through Systems & Innovation
  • Integrate systems and innovation thinking into the endtoend value creation model, ensuring the Agriculture function contributes upstream and downstream value — from seed genetics and field practices to factory throughput and brand storytelling
  • Use technology and systems to reduce costtoserve, minimise waste, improve consistency, strengthen supply security, and unlock longterm P&L benefits
  • Leverage digital and technical insights to influence wider Group strategy, including scenario planning, investment decisions, longterm capacity modelling, and climate resilience initiatives
• A member of the highly engaged Manufacturing Leadership Team supporting the development of a best in class Manufacturing function setting an example of accountability and leadership

Essential

• Degree level in Agriculture or Crop Science – with deep understanding of Agriculture in FMCG sector 
• Collaborative leader with strong communication skills 
• Evidenced Leadership skills 
• High degree of integrity and personal values to Nomad foods 
• Growth and learning mindset 
• Commercial and analytical  
• Strong decision maker with accountability  

Desirable

• Agronomic qualification – BASIS/FACTS crop protection 
• Chartered Manager 
• Negotiation training 
• Experience in vegetable freezing operations