Ventures Lead in Christchurch, Canterbury at Ravensdown

About the role

As the New Ventures Lead, you will be responsible for identifying, developing, and scaling high-potential ideas into commercially successful ventures that deliver meaningful impact for New Zealand’s agricultural sector. Operating at the intersection of science, business, and practical on-farm application, you will play a key role in turning innovative concepts, technologies, and insights into viable businesses that create real value for farmers and growers.

In this role, you will lead the full venture lifecycle—from early opportunity identification and validation through to incubation, commercialisation, and growth—ensuring a strong pipeline of investable, market-ready solutions. You will work closely with internal teams and external partners to shape ideas into scalable ventures, balancing commercial returns with practical outcomes, and helping position Agnition at the forefront of AgTech innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain a strong focus on health and safety by adhering to all policies, regulations, and safe work practices while proactively managing risks.

• Support the development of the New Ventures strategy by identifying, assessing, and progressing new technologies, ideas, and opportunities with commercial potential.

• Lead and support initiatives across the full innovation lifecycle—from ideation through to validation and commercialisation—ensuring a consistent pipeline of opportunities.

• Identify, prioritise, and manage a portfolio of innovation opportunities, including progressing internal ideas into commercially viable ventures.

• Analyse customer needs, market trends, and emerging disruptions to identify and validate opportunities, bringing insights back into the business.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across Ravensdown and with external partners, guiding collaboration on new ideas and ventures.

• Contribute to strategic planning, business cases, and investment decisions, supporting ventures with go-to-market strategies and commercial evaluation.

• Act as a trusted contributor within the Agnition team, supporting team growth, capability development, and the delivery of strategic outcomes.

• Ensure all activities align with brand standards, governance frameworks, and relevant policies and procedures.

• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and support cross-functional projects where needed.

About you

You are a commercially savvy and driven professional with a strong ability to turn ideas into practical, value-adding outcomes. You understand market dynamics and business drivers, and bring a proactive, results-focused mindset with the resilience to navigate complexity and ambiguity. You are a confident communicator and problem solver who can simplify complex information and influence a range of stakeholders. Organised and adaptable, you balance competing priorities effectively while building trusted relationships and supporting innovative, customer-focused solutions

Ideal skills & experience

• Demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) building ideas into commercially viable outcomes, either through internal innovation projects or the development of new ventures.

• Strong commercial acumen, with a clear understanding of the key drivers involved in turning an idea into a successful business, including market validation, value creation, and revenue generation.

• Relevant tertiary qualification in a STEM, business, or related discipline (or equivalent practical experience), with the ability to bridge technical and commercial perspectives.

• Experience in innovation, commercialisation, or venture development, with the ability to translate technology, science, or new concepts into tangible commercial value.

• Proven ability to engage, influence, and build trust with a wide range of stakeholders, demonstrating sound judgement, professionalism, and a thoughtful approach to decision-making.

• Confident communicator with the ability to navigate ambiguity, make balanced decisions, and consider the broader business and stakeholder impacts.

Benefits

In return for your skills, we offer a very competitive package that includes an array of benefits, phone, laptop, plus excellent training opportunities in a supportive cooperative environment.

About the company

Agnition Ventures is the innovation and venture arm of Ravensdown, one of New Zealand’s leading farmer-owned co-operatives. Focused on the future of agriculture, Agnition operates as an agile, commercially driven team dedicated to identifying, developing, and investing in high-potential AgTech solutions.

By combining Ravensdown’s deep scientific expertise with a strong understanding of on-farm needs, Agnition bridges the gap between global innovation and practical application. With access to a network of over 15,000 farmers, the team is uniquely positioned to test, validate, and scale new technologies that drive productivity, sustainability, and long-term value for New Zealand’s primary sector. At its core, Agnition is about turning smart ideas into real-world impact—supporting smarter farming for a better New Zealand.

How to apply: Create a profile and submit your CV and Cover letter.

Applications Close: Friday 10 July 2026

Ravensdown is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.