Farming Operations Data Analyst, Colchester, Essex

We have an exciting opportunity for a Farming Operations Data Analyst at Agrial Fresh Produce, producer of the Florette salad brand, to join our farming team in Colchester, CO7 7HG. This unique role is a fantastic position with direct ownership of all aspects of analysing and reporting on the farming operations and performance. The Analyst will cover our farming operations across two growing sites with both outdoor and indoor growing fields that we harvest all year‑round.

The Farming Operations Data Analyst will support the Operations Team by monitoring and reporting on performance, including labour and agency costs on a daily basis. The successful candidate will also monitor and analyse yield performance as well as cost‑of‑sales KPI’s that cover irrigation, seed costs, diesel, land rent, and other costs. The Operations Analyst will support our farm's operation alongside supporting the wider business finance function in its mission to maximise profitability. Experience within a FMCG environment is highly preferential due to the variable nature of the farm.

Monday to Friday, 08:30am to 17:00pm. Hybrid working of 2 days per week that scales with farming season.

Depending on experience, with annual bonus eligibility.

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• Assist in the P&L reporting for the farm alongside annual budget and the 3 year business plan, with regular analytical reports around performance.
  
• Regular and informed Business Partnering with Senior Leadership at the Farm and other stakeholders.
  
• Enhance variance analysis with tight controls on yield, wastage, labour and other costs.
  
• Support the Farm team with their internal controls (Database, timesheets & forecasting).
  
• Project support across all sites for process optimisation, continuous improvement, cost reviews, and more.
  
• Capex management and liaison with ROI tracking being of particular importance.
  

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• A university degree in business analytics, data analytics, or a similar data related field is highly desirable.
  
• Strongly proficient with Microsoft Excel is essential. Proficiency with PowerBI is preferential.
  
• Experience with closely partnering with senior stakeholders and leadership.
  
• A self‑starting and motivated person who is happy to be the sole subject matter expert for all statistics and data on site at the Farm.
  
• Proven problem solver and decision maker for a highly variable farming operation.
  
• Happy to work in a small office amongst fresh growing fields and a highly unpredictable industry!
  

A competitive salary DOE, as well as inclusion in our annual bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:

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• Life Assurance: 3× your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
  
• Employee Assistance Programme: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues.
  
• Annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as an option to purchase an additional working week of holiday.
  
• Training and Development: Personalised induction as well as regular training and development courses and schemes.
  
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers as well as salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
  
• Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and much more.
  

Florette is one of three UK food manufacturing factories within Agrial Fresh Produce, which is an autonomous part of the larger 22,000‑employee strong French co‑operative group, Agrial.

The business operates mainly under its recognisable Florette salad brand and we are one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry. Under the well‑known Florette brand, our site processes and distributes pre‑packed, ready‑to‑eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's most well‑known supermarkets and retailers, as well as your favourite restaurants and fast‑food vendors. In total, we sell around 600,000kg of products every week – an unbe‑leaf‑able amount!

Agrial has operations across 18 regions, with 280 farming outlets and 5 different divisions, which comprise Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce! As well as the 2 factories we also have a farming operation – Agrial Fresh Farms. All UK sites operate under the name of Agrial Fresh Produce Limited and fall under Agrial’s vegetable division. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team.

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us in innovating in everything we do! We’re looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills and experience we are looking for, and want a fresh challenge we would love for you to join us on our journey!

Please apply directly or alternatively contact Will Kaye, Recruitment Officer for a totally confidential discussion.

Agrial Fresh Produce reserves the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Agrial Fresh Produce is not a licensed UK VISA sponsor, and therefore cannot employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Our recruitment process will ask you to provide evidence of your unlimited Right to Work in the UK.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.