AHDB JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Department
Breeding Advisor (Beef and Sheep)
EBLEX R&D (Signet Breeding Services)
Location
Stoneleigh
Line Manager (Job Title)
Signet Breeding Services Manager
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND JOB
Signet Breeding Services provides genetic evaluations to performance recording beef and
sheep livestock farmers to help them identify cattle and sheep with superior breeding
potential.
The post holder has a remit to:
 recruit and retain customers Beefbreeder and Sheepbreeder service
 provide interpretation and advice to develop breeding programmes to individuals and
breeds
 write and deliver relevant knowledge transfer materials – including articles,
PowerPoint presentations and practical demonstrations.
The role requires you to act as account manager for Breed Societies and breeding groups
listening to their views, solving problems and communicating back to the Signet Manager.
The role may encompass breeding related project work.
DIMENSIONS: AUTHORITY LEVELS & DECISION MAKING
Budgetary responsibility:
The post lies within EBLEX R&D with a budget and targets approved by the Signet Breeding
Services Manager and the Head of EBLEX R&D.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/MAIN CONTACTS/CONTEXT
The post reports to the Signet Breeding Services Manager and has close working contact with
the Signet Bureau team and other Breed Specialists.
Working within the EBLEX R&D team and the wider EBLEX Knowledge transfer team and
therefore close contact with those team members.
Working relationships with Signet clients and the wider Beef and Sheep industry: Breed
Societies, individual breeders, supply chains, SAC, Egenes, research bodies as appropriate,
industry bodies as appropriate.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
I. Support Sheepbreeder and Beefbreeder customers.
(a)
Management of key accounts (breeds to be determined) and several numerically
smaller accounts relating to predefined Breed Societies
 Running meetings.
 Supporting clients through explanation, interpretation and advice of genetic
evaluated performance records and the resultant EBVs and Indexes to lead to
the better understanding and use of genetic evaluations.
 The development of breed and individual breeding programmes as appropriate.
 Developing opportunities for greater liaison between Societies and Signet
(b)
Attendance at shows and sales to develop networks of contacts within the leading
figures in each breed society.
 Leading to recruitment opportunities for breeders
 Information exchange with existing and potential members
 Promotion of new developments and opportunities in breeding
(c)
Explanations of the performance recording and genetic analysis system from a
technical point of view to instill confidence in the users.
 Explaining the importance of the latest technical developments associated with
the use of ultrasound scanning, computed tomography, FEC sampling and the
use of gene markers
 Promoting the use of genetic evaluation results to pedigree producers as a
marketing tool
 Developing sustainable breeding programmes with appropriate levels of between
flock/herd genetic linkage
 Explaining the financial benefits associated with the use of superior breeding
stock to the commercial sector with regards to improvements in growth rate,
carcase conformation and maternal performance.
 Work with the media to communicate the importance of breeding to the industry
through the Farming Press.
(d)
Developing breeding initiatives with breed societies that lead to enhanced use of
breed performance figures through genetic evaluation and greater ownership of
performance recording by breeders, breeding groups and Breed Societies.
II. Write and deliver relevant knowledge transfer articles, PowerPoint presentations and
practical demonstrations as part of the EBLEX knowledge transfer programme. Present
breeding messages to commercial producers on behalf of EBLEX
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KNOWLEDGE / EXPERTISE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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Professional qualification to degree standard in a suitable subject, or equivalent
experience
Experience of working with farmers
Experience of preparing and evaluating performance data and a high level of attention to
detail
Ability to keep up to date with development in genetic theory and the models which
inform performance recording
Sound organisation and prioritising skills and ability to work to defined timescales and
strict deadlines
Persuasive and effective influencer, credible with breeders and breed society employees
Flexible approach to work, with ability to manage a busy and varied workload
Enthusiastic and excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
IT skills (able to use Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Ability to work individually and as part of a matrix team environment
Current and valid driving licence
OTHER ATTRIBUTES / KEY SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
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ORGANISATION/DEPARTMENTAL CHART
SIGNATURE (Post holder):
DATE:
SIGNATURE (Manager):
DATE:
Job descriptions will be reviewed periodically and changed if necessary to suit the needs of the
business
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