Data Analyst - Farming Operations

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 report into the Farm Manager and will monitor and report 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. Experience within a FMCG environment is highly preferential due to the variable nature of the farm. The role is perfect for a recent Graduate looking for their first role in data, expanding on previous experience of theirs, or for someone looking to move into an Analyst role of their own that they can solely manage.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30am to 17:00pm. Hybrid working of 2 days per week from home that scales with farming season (less in summer, more in winter). We are open to discuss part-time working arrangements for this role - please mention this in your application if this is desirable for you.

Pay: Depending on experience, with annual bonus eligibility.

Main Responsibilities 

• Assist the Farm and the Business Finance team in P&L Reporting, annual budget and 3 year plan with regular performance updates.
• Enhanced analysis on key metrics such as yield, wastage, labour and additional costs to aid with month end and performance monitoring
• Support and improve current reporting systems such as timesheets, database and forecasting.
• Improve data visibility and accessibility for both on the Farm and between Business Finance.
• Be a custodian to improvements and lean working around the farm, and support ad-hoc requests on past and future data analysis.
• Capex management and liaison with ROI tracking being of particular importance.

Skills and Experience Required 

• Proven work experience within Data Analytics, desirably around highly variable quantitative financial and operational data.
• A strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel is essential.
• 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!

What You Will Get In Return  

A Competitive salary, and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:

• Life Assurance: 3x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
• Employee Assistance Programme and BUPA: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues, as well as access to BUPA Membership.
• Annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as the option to purchase up to 2 additional working weeks of holiday per annum.
• Learning and Development: Personalised induction and regular learning and development courses and schemes: From L2 to L7 Funded Apprenticeships, Leadership Development Programme, First-Aid and MHFA Training, and many more!
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers and access to 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!

About Us 

Agrial Fresh Farms is one of three UK food manufacturing sites within Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, which is an autonomous part of the larger 17,500 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial. 
 
Our Agrial Fresh Farms site is an integrated farming operation based in Colchester, Essex. The salad farm provides baby leaf year-round to the UK, grown in polytunnels, and whole head and outdoor crops throughout the summer. The produce is supplied into both of our 2 UK manufacturing sites for processing and distribution, which is then ready to be sold in your favourite supermarkets, fast-food establishments, and restaurants! The business is more recognisable in the UK by its Florette salad brand and we are now one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry.

Agrial has operations across 11 countries, with 100 industrial sites, and a 2024 turnover of €7.1bn across 5 food divisions which comprise of Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce!  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. In total, we sell on average around 600,000kg of products every week - an unbe-leaf-able amount!

Next Steps 

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us to innovate in everything we do! We’re looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills or 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 Advisor for a totally confidential and informal discussion. 

Agrial Fresh Produce reserve 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.
 
VISA Sponsorship: This role is only open to applicants who have the permanent right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide or take over visa sponsorship, either now or in the future. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ongoing eligibility to work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship.

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.