Case Study Snapshot
Role: R&D Site Lead
Sector: Fresh Produce, Citrus R&D
Geography: Southern Spain
Search Type: Retained executive search, confidential
Key Challenge: Identifying a candidate with citrus agronomy expertise, hands-on farm management experience, site leadership capability and workable English, during Spain's August holiday period
Outcome: A locally based R&D Site Lead was appointed following a 13-week search and joined the business in early 2026
Context
An international fruit breeding and licensing business was preparing to establish an R&D site in southern Spain. The facility would support citrus variety evaluation and product development activities and become part of the company's wider international agronomy programme.
This was not a replacement hire. The business was building capability from the ground up and needed someone who could oversee day-to-day farm operations while also acting as the local technical lead. The successful appointment would play an important role in supporting variety trials, nursery activities and evaluation programmes from the outset.
Timing added another layer of complexity. The search launched during the first week of August, traditionally one of the quietest periods in the Spanish market, when many candidates and hiring stakeholders are away on annual leave.
The Brief
LCR International was engaged on a retained basis to identify an R&D Site Lead who could combine technical expertise with practical operational experience.
The preferred profile included:
- A degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering or a related discipline
- Hands-on farm management experience, ideally within citrus, although candidates from other tree crop or berry backgrounds were considered
- Experience managing budgets and site infrastructure
- Previous responsibility for leading a small site-based team
- Fluent Spanish and sufficient English to work with international colleagues
- A base in Spain, with a preference for those already located in or close to southern Spain
During the search, the brief evolved slightly. The client agreed to consider candidates whose English was more limited, provided they could communicate effectively and were willing to continue developing their language skills. This adjustment widened the potential talent pool while maintaining the technical requirements that were considered most important.
The Challenge
Finding someone with the right balance of technical expertise and practical farming experience was always likely to be difficult.
Within the Spanish citrus sector, many professionals have built strong careers in either agronomy or operations, but far fewer have had the opportunity to develop both. The brief required someone who could move comfortably between practical site management and the technical demands of a developing R&D programme.
Language added another consideration. Many experienced agronomists working in southern Spain have had little reason to use English day to day, which meant that insisting on complete fluency would have narrowed an already specialist market even further.
Some candidates had spent much of their careers running larger operations, so it was important to explore what would genuinely motivate them to take on a role within a newly established operation.
Launching a search in August inevitably slowed response times during the early stages, with many professionals taking annual leave or returning to work gradually over the following weeks.
LCR International's Approach
LCR managed the search as a retained assignment from briefing through to appointment.
The process began with a market mapping exercise across the Spanish fresh produce sector, including citrus producers, stone fruit businesses, berry operations, research organisations and agri-science companies. Existing relationships, referrals and LCR's own network within southern Spain also informed the search strategy.
Rather than pushing against the realities of the holiday period, outreach was planned around it. Conversations gathered pace as people returned from leave, allowing the team to gain a clearer understanding of availability, interest levels and the practical limitations of the brief.
In total, more than 88 individuals were identified through direct approaches, database searches and referrals. Each was assessed against agreed criteria covering crop experience, operational capability, leadership experience, location and language skills.
LCR conducted eight competency-based interviews and presented a shortlist of four to the client.
The process remained collaborative throughout. As discussions continued, it became easier to see where there was room for flexibility. Being open to professionals with developing English skills broadened the pool considerably, while conversations around motivation helped explore long-term fit before people progressed through the process.
Weekly steering meetings ensured that stakeholders remained informed throughout the assignment, even when a new hiring manager joined partway through. All outreach was undertaken confidentially, with the client's identity protected until individuals reached an appropriate stage in discussions.
The Outcome
A candidate already based in the region was appointed following the search.
She brought strong experience within a major citrus business, including significant responsibility for commercial citrus production and site teams. Her background covered fertilisation, irrigation, pest management, variety trials and new plantings, giving the client confidence that she could support both the practical and technical demands of the role.
The search was completed within approximately 13 weeks, despite the tricky timing and targeting a highly specialised profile. The successful candidate joined the business in early 2026.
The client now has an R&D Site Lead in place to develop its Spanish facility, deliver variety evaluation programmes and represent Spain within its wider agronomy network.
What This Search Reveals
Even within fresh produce, this was a relatively narrow brief.
Combining technical expertise, operational responsibility and language requirements left relatively few realistic options, even within one of Spain's most important citrus-growing regions.
Once conversations with candidates got underway, it became easier to see where there was room for flexibility. Relaxing the English requirement widened the pool, while keeping the focus on the technical experience that mattered most to the client.
It also showed that timing does not have to become a barrier. This was never going to create the fastest start, but with realistic expectations and steady communication, the process continued to move forward and ultimately delivered the right outcome.
