Knowledge Exchange Manager (Dairy)

We are currently recruiting for a Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager to cover Cumbria and the North East region.

This role is offered on a fixed term contract until March 2026 and will provide a high level of stakeholder engagement to levy payers, facilitating highly regarded delivery of the farm excellence programme. We are looking for a confident and skilled communicator with a detailed knowledge of the Dairy sector to help deliver our engagement activity plan. Flexibility to travel across the region is essential.

This is a field-based role which covers Cumbria and the North East, to include North Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland.

At the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), we inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won’t just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you’ll be helping shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

Responsibilities 

• Deliver activities within the Dairy sector ensuring expertise and engagement is maintained and enhanced
• Increase the engagement of, and with, Levy Payers and Stakeholders to achieve the targets set and agreed
• Provide levy payer feedback to the wider business to contribute to the delivery of the sector priorities
• Liaise with sector colleagues to ensure Knowledge Exchange materials are proactively and positively delivered to levy payers and stakeholders
• Proactively embrace cross sector working opportunities
• Communicate the benefits of AHDB work clearly to the industry
• Support senior management with an understanding of the industry landscape and its technical challenges
• Write and deliver KE information to promote sector and AHDB products and services within the Dairy sector
• Establish and maintain contact with the industry through participation in meetings/events/open days and conferences as required
• Provide key account management for identified stakeholders in the region and designated national contacts
• Oversee the delivery of innovative activity within Dairy to targets, to include delivery of discussion groups, open meetings and AHDB Strategic Dairy Farms
• Act as a point of contact for AHDB Dairy in the region, with relevant trade and producer groups such as NFU, or milk processors

Essential Criteria 

• Relevant technical qualification and detailed knowledge of the Dairy farming industry
• Practical experience of facilitating and delivering Knowledge Exchange activities at high profile meetings
• Highly skilled communicator with excellent stakeholder management skills
• Results driven individual, with experience of achieving operational targets
• Experience at closely monitoring and managing budget expenditure
• Excellent project management capabilities
• Full valid UK Driving licence and the ability to travel within the region

The benefits… 

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities, to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4 x 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
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition Awards throughout the year
• Access to the Government’s tax-free childcare scheme
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Apply now, or call 02476 935722 if you require any further information.

Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

At AHDB, you’ll find we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.