Sector Council Members - Cereals & Oilseeds

Cereal and Oilseed levy payers face an uncertain future with changing climate, policy and markets putting huge pressure on farms and supply chains. The need for innovation, collaboration and resilience on farm is pressing, and the risks of disinvestment in domestic supply chains is real.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) are a critical enabler for the industry and help shape the future of farming in the UK. Working with AHDB you won’t just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you’ll be shaping the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

We are now recruiting for Sector Council Members with experience in the Cereals & Oilseeds industry. 

Applications from those with working knowledge of milling, malting, grain trading and logistics or broadacre farming, and skills or insights including the economics of farming, agronomy, Research & Development, sustainability, data & project management, peer-to-peer learning, communications & engagement are particularly encouraged to support the Sector Council Chair in the effective delivery of the Sector Council’s core responsibilities as delegated by the AHDB Board, including levy payer engagement, advising what work should be funded for the sector, and hence, determining the levy rate.

Sector Council Members play a crucial role in deciding what work should be commissioned for their sector and ensuring there is effective engagement between levy payers and AHDB. Members are required to abide by the AHDB Code of Conduct for Board and Committee members (the Code), which includes the Seven Principles of Public Life.

Appointments are for an initial three-year term from November 2025 and require up to two days per month commitment per year, including attendance at Sector Council meetings.

Department
Sector Council
Work Base
Office-based
Location
United Kingdom
Salary Range
£256.25 per day
Total Hours (per week)
Up to 2 days per month
Closing Date
30/07/2025
Documents

Responsibilities

  • Attend Sector Council Meetings and participate constructively to add value and stimulate development (typically five formal meetings per year plus additional interim meetings) 
  • Contribute to Council debates and discussions to agree Strategic Sector Priorities
  • Contribute to Council debates and discussions in deciding which proposed activities and programmes will be funded, taking into consideration the results of levy payer voting
  • Receive reports on progress against milestones and targets for the activities and programmes commissioned by the Council and identify where progress deviates materially from plan so that the Council Chair can bring the issue to the attention of the AHDB Board
  • Propose a levy rate for the sector to the AHDB Board, taking account of the activities and programmes the Council wishes to fund, the sector’s reserves position, and any apportioned costs which AHDB is legally required to pay
  • Explain funding decisions through active communication, advocacy, and discussions with levy payers at all opportunities, including the annual meeting
  • Ensure that the voice of the sector levy payers is heard within AHDB by providing feedback to AHDB staff and the rest of the Council
  • Engage with levy payers, seeking feedback on their needs, AHDB’s performance and explaining the decisions of the Council about what they have decided to fund

Essential Criteria

  • Good, broad working knowledge of the Cereal & Oilseeds sector
  • A demonstrable desire to work constructively for the long-term benefit of the whole sector, and the purposes and goals of AHDB
  • Ability to think strategically and critically
  • Strong communication skills to convincingly work with levy payers and other stakeholders, and a range of public and private sector organisations
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the issues facing levy payers and the wider food and farming industries
  • Ability to work in a group with diverse opinions and build constructive relationships, working effectively with a team of people to make fully informed decisions

Candidates who can demonstrate experience of more than one part of the sector and bring transferable skills or expertise from across business and/or outside agriculture in addition to industry knowledge, will be highly valued.

Candidates with experience of driving change and innovation across industries and/or within public sector or membership organisations/trade associations are especially welcome.

Closing date for applications: 30.7.25

Anticipated interview dates, via MS Teams: Week commencing 25 August 2025 or 1 September 2025

All final appointments are subject to ratification via levy payer vote during October 2025. Any successful candidates will join us for an induction at our Head Office in Coventry on 20 November 2025.

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. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.


Disability Confident

Apply for this job
Send to a Friend

© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board | All Rights Reserved

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Middlemarch Business Park, Siskin Parkway East, Coventry, CV3 4PE

-->