Harper Food Innovation Director

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Deputy Vice Chancellor
Location:  Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date:  Monday 15 April 2024
Reference:  ML-MARCH2024

Harper Adams is the leading university for food production and technology, animal health and wellbeing, and their contribution to sustainable, living environments for our planet’s inhabitants. We have been named as the first ever Specialist University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and the top Modern University in the inaugural Daily Mail University Guide.

Our mission is to advance knowledge, to inspire and equip learners in our specialisms to deliver real change and contribute to a sustainable future for the inhabitants of and habitats across our living planet.

Harper Food Innovation (HFI) will be central to putting food at the centre of activities at Harper Adams University. A firm foundation on which to build exists as a result of the Regional Food Academy (RFA), established at Harper Adams in 2009. The legacy of the RFA is on-campus infrastructure including test kitchens, a sensory suite and mobile kitchen teaching facilities.

This comprehensive suite of facilities will provide the basis for the inaugural HFI Director to develop innovative solutions for the agri-food sector. HFI will demonstrate best practice in food manufacturing, support the sector through services and research, and actively produce saleable Harper branded food from our Future Farm.

The HFI Director will proactively facilitate knowledge exchange within the food industry and support workforce development with partner organisations, thereby contributing significantly to the education of those who will be the future leaders of the food industry.

With a background in food science/technology (ideally, but not necessarily, in dairy, bakery, beverages and/or meat/plant-based protein experience) gained in industry, knowledge exchange or the food evaluation sector, you will lead on the set up, development and growth of HFI working with industry partners ranging from SMEs to large scale food processors, contributing to local and national projects, including with key retailers with which Harper Adams already works closely. As an established expert in the sector, you will leverage your current network to advocate for food production and food supply chains, representing HFI at external events and working closely with business development colleagues to lead, develop, and secure income on key accounts. 

You will be a commercially focused individual who has strong entrepreneurial skills with the capacity to spot business opportunities and the capability to create tangible financial outcomes. 

Candidates should apply for this role through our retained advisors Networked at -

https://www.networkedpeople.com/harper-hfi-director/

The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on Monday 15th April 2024.

Informal questions regarding the post should be directed to Hamish Laing at Networked via -

[email protected] or +44 (0)7861 329463.