Description

About the Opportunity

Location: Flexible within DEMEA (Maidstone, Boavista, Huelva, Moulay or Agadir) Approximately 30% travel.

At Driscoll’s, we are looking for a visionary and people-centered DEMEA Applied Research Manager to lead our applied research strategy across Europe, the UK, the Middle East and Africa. While the role is formally connected to Maidstone, candidates may also be based near one of our other Driscoll’s offices in Boavista (Portugal), Huelva (Spain) or Moulay/Agadir (Morocco). This role requires approximately 30% domestic and international travel to support research programs and stakeholder collaboration across the region.

As DEMEA Applied Research Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to Applied Research programs across multiple crops and geographies. You will ensure research priorities are tightly aligned with business objectives developed by Product, Supply and District Leadership.
You will lead the development and execution of trial strategies for new selections and plant types, accelerating the deployment of new genetics and optimizing growing systems in diverse production environments. Leveraging the Global Applied Research Network, you will drive innovation and translate scientific insights into practical, grower-focused solutions.
This is a senior leadership role requiring the ability to balance scientific rigor with business impact, manage multiple complex initiatives, and align diverse stakeholders around clear priorities.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of science, strategy and leadership. You will be accountable for translating DEMEA business priorities into robust applied research programs, while ensuring strong execution, stakeholder alignment and team development across multiple geographies and crops.

• Provide leadership and vision in developing relevant plant research programs aligned with DEMEA business strategies.

• Design and oversee trialing strategies to evaluate new genetics and plant types across environments and crops.

• Lead and develop the DEMEA Applied Research teams, fostering innovation, agility and a strong culture of curiosity and accountability.

• Communicate research progress, insights and opportunities through clear reporting and structured knowledge-sharing forums to ensure effective deployment and adoption.

• Partner closely with breeding, nursery, product, supply and district teams to translate genetic potential into commercial performance.

• Leverage global research networks to accelerate innovation in plant types and growing systems.

• Develop training programs that strengthen scientific robustness and business acumen within the team.

• Manage the Applied Research EMEA budget to maximize scientific rigor, operational efficiency and business impact.

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle as a people manager, including hiring, development, engagement and safety.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a senior research leader who combines deep plant science expertise with strong business acumen and people leadership skills. The ideal candidate is strategic yet hands-on, scientifically rigorous yet pragmatic, and capable of building alignment across diverse stakeholders while developing high-performing teams.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Master preferred) in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience, ideally within applied research programs delivering practical solutions for growers.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience.
• Strong background in experimental design, data collection methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated experience translating small-plot research and large-scale commercial trial results into actionable business insights.
• Skills & Competencies
• Strategic mindset with the ability to design long-term research roadmaps.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to reconcile competing priorities.
• Proven ability to drive results across multiple regions and crops with energy and resilience.
• High level of intellectual curiosity and a genuine passion for plant science, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Brings positive energy, ownership and momentum to complex initiatives and diverse teams.
• Passion for developing talent and building high-performing teams.
• Advanced English language skills; Spanish strongly preferred.
• Valid passport and ability to travel internationally without restrictions.

Why Join Driscoll’s?
Driscoll’s is the global market leader in fresh berries, driven by innovation in genetics, plant science and grower partnerships. In this role, you will shape the future of applied plant research across DEMEA, directly influencing the performance of new cultivars and the success of our growers.
If you are energized by the intersection of science, strategy and leadership and passionate about unlocking the potential of plants, we would love to hear from you.