About the job
Are you looking for an exciting and varied career within agriculture and the rural sector?
SAC Consulting is looking for a Senior Agricultural Consultant / Area Manager or an Agricultural Consultant to join our Stornoway team on a full-time, permanent basis. In this role you will provide advice to crofters and land managers in Lewis and Harris and at Senior Consultant/Area Manager level you will also lead and manage a local team of consultants and agricultural technicians - Be a part of our expert team.
SAC Consulting is one of the leading agricultural consultancies in Scotland, uniquely placed to support the sustainable growth and prosperity of agriculture and land-based businesses; working across food supply chains as they rise to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and food security.
Our Agricultural Advisory business believes in being local which is why we have 85 consultants and a further 35 technicians and administrators in 23 offices across Scotland, providing local knowledge and farming expertise to 9,000 farmers and crofters.
We have decades of experience, but as demands and expectations around land management have evolved, so have we. We work progressively, backed by our strong connections with research and education colleagues, to support rural enterprise in areas including livestock production, crofting regulation, business diversification, financial management, ecology, biodiversity, carbon management and environmental schemes.
Our broad scope and unique environment enable you to shape your own role, employing your own interests, passions, and unique expertise for the benefit of our customers.
Key Responsibilities
The main purpose of this role is to provide expert technical and business consultancy services to customers throughout the region. The role will require flexible working hours and regular travel to accommodate customer needs. You should also be able to harness your knowledge and experience for the benefit of both your customer and your colleagues. At the Senior level you will also be expected to lead and manage the locally based team.
Through knowledge transfer, advisory services, tools, and collaboration SAC consultants assist and support their clients to meet their individual business objectives, as well as helping industry stakeholders, government agencies and private sector businesses to achieve greater success or to deliver on their organisation objectives.
Key elements of this role include:
* Providing technical, business, specialist expertise and financial consultancy services to customers and their crofting businesses
* Identifying solutions for customers as they adapt to changes in regulation, Government policy and evolving markets
* Winning and delivering new business, through maximising opportunities to introduce the customer to the most appropriate consulting services we can offer in order to support their business
* Building networks and maintaining relationships with key staff in organisations with rural interests; including our partners, public and industry bodies, regulators, banks, or commercial companies
* The opportunity to facilitate or assist in the delivery of content and events for the Farm Advisory Service (FAS)
* In conjunction with our communications team, you will contribute to writing and devising technical content for press and newsletter articles, case studies and podcasts for a variety of publications, shows and events. These should of benefit to the customer while developing you own network and profile within the industry
* At the Senior Consultant/Area Manager level you will also manage, mentor and develop a team of local consultants and technicians in order to ensure customer delivery success and to develop the teams skills and careers
* Have financial responsibility for the performance of your team and the management of the workflow
* Where and when appropriate, use your skills and knowledge to provide training and insight for others within SAC Consulting
Minimum qualifications and experience:
* A HND or degree in a relevant discipline
* Whilst an agricultural qualification is desirable you may have a qualification within an area of business, finance or land-based sectors. Equally your qualification could be in a transferable area such as teaching but backed up by your farming experience
* Experience working in the rural sector; an awareness of the challenges faced by agricultural business would be extremely beneficial
* A broad knowledge of agricultural enterprises and systems with a deeper level of knowledge in a specific area of interest
* Strong people development and management skills (we will accept applications from those who feel they can grow into the team management role)
* A high level of confidence in working across teams and projects
* The ability to drive your own success whilst also working as part of a team
* Curiosity to ask questions and the courage to give advice
* A commercial awareness of the value of your expertise and the ability to use the team around you to get the best result for the customer
* Effective use of IT
* Good awareness and understanding of agricultural frameworks and funding
* Proven effective written and verbal communication skills
* Full driving licence and own transport
Eligibility for Sponsorship:
This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. If you are a migrant worker you will need to ensure you have an appropriate visa to evidence the necessary right to work in the UK.
Salary and benefits?
* £28,633 to £49,803 depending on skills and experience
* Generous annual leave
* Enhanced pension contributions to contributory pension scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounted RAC Membership
* Generous family leave
* Flexible working patterns considered
* Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
* We encourage Continuing Professional Development with a tailored investment in an individuals' learning and development
How to Apply:
Please complete an online application form by pressing “apply” or visiting
Full details can be found in the Job Particulars document downloadable from the link above.
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SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Disability Confident Employer” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.
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