AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Lead Production Economist - Agriculture
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We are currently recruiting for a Lead Production Economist to join our Economics team.
As AHDB's senior specialist in on-farm economics, you will play a key role in helping levy payers, industry stakeholders and policymakers understand the financial performance, competitiveness and long-term sustainability of UK farming businesses. You will lead AHDB's research, analysis and interpretation of agricultural production economics for our sectors.
The role’s focus is on the development of economic insights relating to farm performance, cost of production and enterprise profitability. This will require undertaking economic modelling, interpreting complex data sets and providing evidence-based analysis that supports business and policy decision making.
We are looking for someone with significant experience in agricultural economics, farm business analysis or a related discipline, together with a strong understanding of UK agricultural production systems. As a recognised expert in production economics, you will be a confident and credible professional, capable of building strong relationships across industry and government, leading projects, influencing stakeholders and identifying opportunities to strengthen AHDB's economic insight and impact.
This role follows a hybrid working pattern, working from our Coventry HQ and remotely from home.
About AHDB
We are the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British producers in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers, growers and processors, often where no one else can or will.
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We share the expert, evidence-based research and reports that inform on-farm decision making. We promote British produce to the UK public through domestic marketing campaigns, and we identify and open new global export opportunities to help farm businesses grow.
We help levy payers learn more, sell more and export more to remain sustainable and profitable. Together, we deliver the insights, the influence and the impact that farmers need.
Responsibilities
- Lead the research, analysis and communication of agricultural production economics across AHDB sectors
- Deliver high-quality economic modelling, cost of production analysis and farm business performance insights
- Develop and enhance benchmarking approaches, identifying opportunities for improved data sharing and automation
- Scope, manage and deliver projects that assess the impacts of policy, market and productivity changes on farm businesses
- Work collaboratively across AHDB to provide economic expertise that supports strategic priorities and sector activities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government, industry and research stakeholders
- Represent AHDB within external technical forums, benchmarking groups and industry networks
- Provide leadership, coaching and development support to colleagues within the Economics team with line management responsibility for an economist
Essential Criteria
- Degree-level qualification in agricultural economics, economics or another relevant numerate discipline, or equivalent experience
- Significant experience of agricultural economic analysis, including farm business performance and cost of production modelling
- Strong understanding of UK agricultural production systems and the factors influencing farm profitability
- Experience working with complex data sets, economic models and analytical tools to generate actionable insights
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex economic concepts to varied audiences
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience of working collaboratively across industry, government or research environments
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The Benefits…
- 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, to include hybrid working
- 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Life assurance cover (4x salary)
- A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
- Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
- A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
- Recognition awards throughout the year
- Reward Gateway membership - this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings
Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications. For any queries or support with your application, you can contact us at recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
At AHDB, we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, including flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.
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