Head of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries

The Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries team plays a critical role in the overall leadership of the Ethics & Sustainability function, driving standards across our supply chains and protecting our position as a market leader.

We are seeking an experienced agricultural leader to set the strategy and lead the Partnership’s agenda across meat, dairy, fresh produce, fish, and seafood.
In this role, you will act as the principal relationship holder and external voice for Waitrose with farmers, growers, and fishers building trusted relationships across our supply base and wider industry.

You will balance commercial priorities with a strong understanding of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, while leading a team of experts and bringing the wider business with you.

Job Description

Salary - £127,000-£190,000 - dependent on experience

Contract type - Permanent

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office, other Partnership locations and home. The leadership team aims for 3 days a week in the office or with suppliers to connect, and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.

Location - This role is based in our Bracknell Office, with an expectation to travel nationally as required to engage with our supplier network.

Key responsibilities

• Set and lead the overarching strategy for sustainable sourcing across meat, dairy, fresh produce, fish, and seafood in alignment with wider Partnership goals.
• Serve as the primary figurehead and relationship holder with Waitrose farmers, growers, and fishers to build long-term supply chain resilience.
• Represent Waitrose externally on agricultural, aquacultural and fisheries matters, engaging with government, DEFRA, NGOs, industry bodies and the media.
• Represent the Partnership on the Duchy Organics Board and manage key relationships with the Royal Household regarding farming matters.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of subject matter experts creating clarity around priorities and ensuring their expertise translates into impact for the business and our supply chains.
•  Oversee risk frameworks, budgets and the cross-functional Farm Metrics Programme, working closely with commercial and operational teams across the Partnership. 

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Deep sectoral expertise and operational knowledge of livestock, fresh produce, fisheries, aquaculture, and their respective supply chains. 
• Proven strategic leadership experience managing complex multi-stakeholder groups and high-profile strategic projects within a commercial context.
• Extensive background in regulatory compliance, certification standards, assurance schemes, and applicable governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to measure, report, and effectively communicate sustainability impacts to internal and external audiences.
• Strong team leadership capabilities backed by a well-established network across the agricultural, fisheries, and retail sectors.

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

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