The position manages the Company’s portfolio of its patented and/or licensed berry varieties, overseeing all trial sites and trial data as well as improving the quality of the orchards by advising best agronomical practice and monitoring the implementation thereof.
KEY PERFORMANCE OUTPUTS:
• Ongoing testing and research of owned patented licensed varieties of blueberries in terms of trial sites to aid varietal development, selection and innovation.
• Contribute to the breeding and selecting of correct OZblu varieties, keeping in mind growing conditions, best farming practices and retailer needs.
• Data collection and variety development for all regions in terms of trials to aid varietal selection and sufficient production support.
• Set up and management of integrated R&D trial blocks in Western Australia to templatise models into international markets.
• Manage Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) status of new varieties in new regions.
• Support new and current global projects by contributing to planning budgets, creating proposals, providing guidance and overall reporting.
• Oversee the operations of all trial sites by guiding and supporting the R&D team in the research & development initiatives across multiple commodities and sites;
• Fulfil a full agronomical support role to the Australian farms in terms of improving agronomy practices, yield improvements and achieving maximum return for each variety.
• Support nursery operations on United Exports-owned nurseries in South Africa and Australia.
LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Relevant tertiary degree in agriculture and/or horticulture advantageous or
• 5 years’ relevant experience
FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• Extensive knowledge of OZblu varieties (essential)
• At least 5 years’ experience of low-chill blueberry horticultural practices (essential)
• Understanding of and experience in low-chill blueberry production on a large scale (essential)
• 3-5 years’ experience in low-chill blueberry R&D initiatives (essential)
• Nursery Management Experience (advantageous)
• Understanding of plant breeder rights and the movement of plant material across international borders (essential)
• Relationship management
• Strong computer literacy: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Good financial management
• Proficiency on NetSuite ERP system advantageous
LEADERSHIP/BEHAVIOURAL
• Detail and results orientated
• Grit and a sense of humour
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Strong people-management, relationship building and interpersonal relations skills
• Good communication skills: verbal and written
KEY PERFORMANCE OUTPUTS:
• Ongoing testing and research of owned patented licensed varieties of blueberries in terms of trial sites to aid varietal development, selection and innovation.
• Contribute to the breeding and selecting of correct OZblu varieties, keeping in mind growing conditions, best farming practices and retailer needs.
• Data collection and variety development for all regions in terms of trials to aid varietal selection and sufficient production support.
• Set up and management of integrated R&D trial blocks in Western Australia to templatise models into international markets.
• Manage Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) status of new varieties in new regions.
• Support new and current global projects by contributing to planning budgets, creating proposals, providing guidance and overall reporting.
• Oversee the operations of all trial sites by guiding and supporting the R&D team in the research & development initiatives across multiple commodities and sites;
• Fulfil a full agronomical support role to the Australian farms in terms of improving agronomy practices, yield improvements and achieving maximum return for each variety.
• Support nursery operations on United Exports-owned nurseries in South Africa and Australia.
LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Relevant tertiary degree in agriculture and/or horticulture advantageous or
• 5 years’ relevant experience
FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• Extensive knowledge of OZblu varieties (essential)
• At least 5 years’ experience of low-chill blueberry horticultural practices (essential)
• Understanding of and experience in low-chill blueberry production on a large scale (essential)
• 3-5 years’ experience in low-chill blueberry R&D initiatives (essential)
• Nursery Management Experience (advantageous)
• Understanding of plant breeder rights and the movement of plant material across international borders (essential)
• Relationship management
• Strong computer literacy: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Good financial management
• Proficiency on NetSuite ERP system advantageous
LEADERSHIP/BEHAVIOURAL
• Detail and results orientated
• Grit and a sense of humour
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Strong people-management, relationship building and interpersonal relations skills
• Good communication skills: verbal and written
