ABOUT EIT FOOD
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted by consumers. Established by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in 2017, EIT Food is a fast-growing partnership organisation focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector.
EIT Food is a member organisation bringing together key industry players, agri-food startups, research centres and universities from across Europe representing the food value chain in Europe. In addition to thematic leadership, EIT Food is also responsible for coordinating a multi-million euro EU grant allocation from the EIT and distributing it among its partners and stakeholders for the implementation of projects.
EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional offices (Co-Location Centres or CLCs) in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Belgium), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.
Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu
JOB DESCRIPTION
EIT Food is seeking a dedicated and results-oriented Agricultural Programme Manager to lead and coordinate multiple projects focused on agriculture, focused on advancing sustainable and regenerative farming practices. You will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of initiatives aimed at improving the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of farming across Europe.
The role involves managing a team of project managers and agronomists responsible for the execution of individual projects, providing strategic direction, operational guidance, and ensuring the successful delivery of outcomes,
In close collaboration with the Regenerative Agriculture Portfolio Lead, your role will also involve fostering and managing collaboration among stakeholders, including farmers, agrifood companies, cooperatives, startups, and policymakers, promoting and overseeing the implementation of innovative agricultural practices, and the adoption of cutting-edge solutions, driving transformation and measurable positive impact in the agricultural sector.
We are seeking for an experienced Programme Manager in the farming practice and ecosystem (cooperatives, support schemes), knowledge of regenerative agriculture and sustainability issues, - international experience in the corporate sector is valued. Ideally, you will have practical experience in any of these areas: farming, regenerative / conservation agriculture, agriculture innovation and technologies and sound project management skills.
You will be expected to ensure timely, successful execution and production of KPIs, from front to end, supervise the work of project managers running agricultural related initiatives within EIT Food, agronomists supporting farmers in the field, liaise and develop projects with agrifood companies and stakeholders, contribute to content and knowledge creation, build evidence to provide feedback and guidance based on facts and figures, support startups to design and plan technology tests in farm fields and monitor their evolution.
You will report to the Head of Strategic Programmes in EIT Food.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Team Leadership and People Management:
- Lead, mentor, and support a team of project managers to ensure high performance and alignment with organizational goals.
- Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects managed by your team, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
- Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations for team members.
- Foster a collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented team culture.
- Support the professional development of project managers by identifying training needs and opportunities for growth.
Programme and Project Oversight:
- Develop and implement strategies to manage multiple interconnected projects, ensuring their alignment with EIT Food’s vision and objectives.
- Monitor the progress of projects within your team’s portfolio, addressing challenges and ensuring that key performance indicators (KPIs) are met.
- Provide strategic oversight and guidance on project design, execution, and stakeholder engagement.
- Coordinate cross-project activities to enhance synergies and maximize impact.
- Identify funding opportunities to expand and sustain programme activities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including agrifood companies, cooperatives, public administrations, startups, and research institutions.
- Drive collaboration with agrifood companies to design and implement procurement strategies that promote sustainable farming.
- Represent EIT Food at industry events, technical sessions, and forums to enhance visibility and foster partnerships.
Innovation and Knowledge Development:
- Stay updated on advancements in regenerative agriculture, sustainability practices, and agricultural innovation.
- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among project managers and stakeholders.
- Support the development of evidence-based recommendations and guidance through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Operational Excellence:
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.
- Develop and implement processes to enhance efficiency and consistency in project management.
- Prepare and present progress reports, impact assessments, and other documentation to internal and external stakeholders.
EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
Qualifications
- University Degree in forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, sustainability or climate change and carbon mitigation related fields.
- At least 5 years of work experience in agriculture or forestry, sustainability consulting, climate change mitigation/adaptation or related fields.
- Knowledge of and experience in MRV systems for soil health and regenerative agriculture practices.
- Fluency in English. Additional European languages will be considered.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience related to start-ups and/or agriculture
- International exposure and experiences in working with start-up ecosystems
- Strong network amongst southern European agricultural actors.
- Ability and desire to start projects from the beginning and see them through to closure.
Skills and behavior
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
- Strong project management abilities, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
- Demonstrable passion to build a more sustainable and healthier food system.
- Proactive, independent, and adaptable to dynamic environments.
- Respectful of timelines, with strong attention to detail and accountability.
- Collaborative and able to foster a positive team culture.
- Solid business judgment, with flexible and interdisciplinary thinking.
- A positive person with a can-do attitude that thrives in small dynamic teams.
- A desire to lead new projects at the forefront of agricultural thinking.
- A combination of analytical thinking and creativity.
- A business-driven mindset.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders from different countries and backgrounds.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and persuasion skills for building alliances between stakeholders from industry, research education and public sector.
- Passion for continuous improvement.
- Ability to work both independently and in small (multi-national) teams.
- Organised, proactive, service-oriented and capable of multi-tasking.
- Strong emotional intelligence
WHAT WE OFFER
Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system.
Together, we're making a real impact on the food industry and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join us.
As a valued member of our team, we'll provide you with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
CONTRACT TYPE
Full-time permanent position.
LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY
The role can be based in any of the EIT Food hubs (Belgium, Poland, Spain, Germany or UK) with the possibility of hybrid working.
Business travel (up to 8 days per month) within Southern Europe can be expected and occasionally to other European locations.
Please note that all applicants must be legally authorized to reside and work in their chosen location.
APPLICATION
Interested candidates are asked to upload their CV and Cover Letter in English in electronic format to CV Warehouse before 08 01 2025.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview and may be asked to prove their background, qualifications, skills and experiences by providing relevant documents.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
EIT Food is an equal opportunity employer, offering each candidate matching the minimum obligatory qualifications and experiences an equal chance in employment and promotion procedures.
