Describe your job in 20-25 words.

I act as a technical lead for potato supply, managing grower relationships, crop strategy, innovation, and quality assurance to support sustainable, profitable operations and customer satisfaction across Burgess Farms.

How did you end up in this job?

I started out in the factory as a forklift driver, when an opening for an Agronomy Apprentice on the jobs board in the corridor. Honestly, I had no clue what an agronomist even was! After a bit of Googling, I realised it ticked all the boxes—science, crops, and constant learning. I’d always loved growing my own veg at home, so I took the leap. I wasn’t sure I could handle a degree at first, but I went for it anyway—and yep, the saying’s true: the rest is history!

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

Go for it! You don’t need to know everything from the start—I didn’t even know what an agronomist was when I began! If you’re into science, love being outdoors, enjoy working with people, and want a career where you’re always learning, this could be perfect. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take a leap—you never know where it might lead (maybe even to cooking and tasting potatoes for a living!).

What’s the best thing about your job?

It’s never boring! I get to travel, meet loads of interesting people, and spend time outdoors on farms. I’m always learning something new, trying out cool agri-tech tools, and yes—eating a lot of potatoes! Launching a new variety and seeing it hit the shelves is such a buzz. It’s a job with purpose, impact, and plenty of flavour!

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

In five years, I’ll still be working with potatoes—but on a bigger scale! I want to lead exciting innovation projects, launch new varieties, and maybe even mentor future apprentices. I’ll be travelling more, testing out the latest agri-tech, and hopefully one step closer to becoming a Managing Director.

If you could give your 16 year old self some career advice, what would it be?

Follow your path—not someone else’s. Don’t stress about where others are, just focus on how far you’ve come. Progress is progress, no matter how small! And don’t rule out the food industry just because people say it’s “just factory work”—it’s so much more than that. There are loads of exciting roles in food and farming, from science and tech to innovation and sustainability. You could end up growing crops, developing new products, or even tasting potatoes for a living (trust me, it’s a thing!)