Manager, Agricultural Research & Development
Industry
Operations
Location
Prince Edward Island
Job Title: Agricultural Research and Development Manager
Location: New Annan, PEI
TP-17521
Salary Range {$100,000 - $125,000}
About Cavendish Farms
Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen food products for retail and foodservice markets across Canada, the United States, and globally. Cavendish Farms operates state-of-the-art potato processing plants in Prince Edward Island, Lethbridge, Alberta, and Jamestown, North Dakota, along with an appetizer plant in Wheatley, Ontario. The head office is in Dieppe, New Brunswick, with sales offices in Toronto, Montreal, and Boston.
The farming division supplies processing plants in Prince Edward Island, Jamestown, and Lethbridge, while seed potato farms in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia support both internal operations and external customers. The Cavendish Farms Research Centre plays a critical role in advancing agricultural innovation, developing new potato varieties adapted to evolving environmental and agronomic conditions. This research supports farming operations across Atlantic Canada, helping to enhance crop quality, sustainability, and overall efficiency.
On behalf of Cavendish Farms, we are seeking an Agricultural Research and Development Manager to join their team in Prince Edward Island.
Role Description
As the Agricultural Research & Development Manager, you will manage the potato variety program and provide expertise and technical support to seed and commercial growers. You will lead innovation in potato cultivation by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI, drones, and precision farming to enhance productivity and sustainability. This role focuses on team leadership, variety development, and strategic partnerships with research institutes to drive the adoption of emerging agricultural advancements and shape the future of potato production.
Your responsibilities will include:
Your Qualifications
You are a passionate innovator in applied agricultural research, driven by a deep love for cutting-edge technologies and their potential to transform farming. With a strong background in R&D and agricultural science, you thrive in dynamic environments, making data-driven decisions to push the boundaries of potato cultivation. As a visionary leader, you inspire and mentor your team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning. Your expertise in emerging technologies like AI, drones, and precision agriculture allows you to explore new frontiers, ensuring sustainable and efficient farming practices. A skilled communicator, you excel at engaging with research institutions, industry experts, and growers, translating groundbreaking ideas into real-world agricultural advancements.
Your qualifications include:
This is an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation with a well-established, industry-leading organization. Cavendish Farms Corporation is committed to fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and inclusive work environment—one where your ideas, expertise, and passion will make a real impact. Be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and sustainability, while ensuring a workplace that is welcoming, diverse, and free from discrimination and harassment.
Location: New Annan, PEI
TP-17521
Salary Range {$100,000 - $125,000}
About Cavendish Farms
Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen food products for retail and foodservice markets across Canada, the United States, and globally. Cavendish Farms operates state-of-the-art potato processing plants in Prince Edward Island, Lethbridge, Alberta, and Jamestown, North Dakota, along with an appetizer plant in Wheatley, Ontario. The head office is in Dieppe, New Brunswick, with sales offices in Toronto, Montreal, and Boston.
The farming division supplies processing plants in Prince Edward Island, Jamestown, and Lethbridge, while seed potato farms in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia support both internal operations and external customers. The Cavendish Farms Research Centre plays a critical role in advancing agricultural innovation, developing new potato varieties adapted to evolving environmental and agronomic conditions. This research supports farming operations across Atlantic Canada, helping to enhance crop quality, sustainability, and overall efficiency.
On behalf of Cavendish Farms, we are seeking an Agricultural Research and Development Manager to join their team in Prince Edward Island.
Role Description
As the Agricultural Research & Development Manager, you will manage the potato variety program and provide expertise and technical support to seed and commercial growers. You will lead innovation in potato cultivation by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI, drones, and precision farming to enhance productivity and sustainability. This role focuses on team leadership, variety development, and strategic partnerships with research institutes to drive the adoption of emerging agricultural advancements and shape the future of potato production.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Drive agricultural innovation by integrating emerging technologies, including AI-driven analytics, drone-based field monitoring, automation, and precision farming tools, to optimize productivity, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
- Assists with the management of the Ag Research Program, conducting research trials, reporting all technical advances, new technologies, and products to generate solutions for the potato production system.
- Training and coaching of human capital; spread culture of teamwork and collaboration, sharing good practices, technical and business information to the team.
- Development of new processing potato varieties, transfer new techniques for seed and commercial production.
- Work with private and public breeding institutions to obtain new promising potato varieties for testing and distribution to growers.
- Assists with the management and direction of the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products.
- Develops and implements research and development procedures and techniques.
- Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results and provides recommendations based on findings.
- Implement protocols, screen and qualify new potato varieties to get more adapted varieties with high field yield potential to support the business on raw material cost reduction.
- Training and coaching of human capital; spread culture of teamwork and collaboration, sharing good practices, technical and business information to the team.
- Maintain key relationships with public institutions, in order to import or export new varieties for testing.
- Establish best agricultural practices to optimize field productivity and quality.
- Determine the scope of research projects and assist with ensuring they are on time and within budget.
- Ensure that project/department milestones and goals are met and adhere to approved budgets.
Your Qualifications
You are a passionate innovator in applied agricultural research, driven by a deep love for cutting-edge technologies and their potential to transform farming. With a strong background in R&D and agricultural science, you thrive in dynamic environments, making data-driven decisions to push the boundaries of potato cultivation. As a visionary leader, you inspire and mentor your team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning. Your expertise in emerging technologies like AI, drones, and precision agriculture allows you to explore new frontiers, ensuring sustainable and efficient farming practices. A skilled communicator, you excel at engaging with research institutions, industry experts, and growers, translating groundbreaking ideas into real-world agricultural advancements.
Your qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Biology, or a related field with a strong foundation in agricultural science and applied research.
- 5+ years of experience in applied agricultural research, with a preference for expertise in potato research and variety development.
- 3+ years of leadership and management experience within the agricultural industry.
- Strong leadership, technical, and business acumen, with the ability to align research initiatives with strategic business goals.
- Passion for innovation and emerging technologies, including AI, drones, precision farming, and automation, to drive the future of agriculture.
- Big-picture thinker with the vision to develop and execute projects from concept to completion, ensuring long-term impact.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, growers, research institutions, and industry partners.
- Creative problem-solver with a proven ability to think outside the box and develop innovative, technology-driven agricultural solutions.
- Thrives under pressure, particularly during critical planting and harvesting seasons, with the ability to meet deadlines and adapt to dynamic challenges.
This is an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation with a well-established, industry-leading organization. Cavendish Farms Corporation is committed to fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and inclusive work environment—one where your ideas, expertise, and passion will make a real impact. Be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and sustainability, while ensuring a workplace that is welcoming, diverse, and free from discrimination and harassment.
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking “Apply Now” below.
For more information contact Thomas Pugh, Partner, at 902-818-4506 and tpugh@kbrs.ca or Heather Simmons, Sr. Recruitment Specialist at 902-424-2335 and hsimmons@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
For more information contact Thomas Pugh, Partner, at 902-818-4506 and tpugh@kbrs.ca or Heather Simmons, Sr. Recruitment Specialist at 902-424-2335 and hsimmons@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
