Group and Crop Resilience Lead, Global Agronomy Technology Transfer

• Based in Docklands, VIC 3008
• Leading global brand with operations across Australia, Europe, Middle East, North & South America
• Technical knowledge of berry varieties required

THE ROLE

The Global Agronomy Tech Transfer Crop Resilience Lead will implement Driscoll's technical technology transfer programs relevant to their areas of scope, identifying, designing, and ensuring the delivery and adoption of the relevant technologies and knowledge transfer programs that respond to the business strategic priorities. This will be achieved through an informed vision of business needs, risks, opportunities, technologies, and robust knowledge about available proprietary genetics and their commercial potential across regions, climates, and production systems. In addition to the responsibilities of implementing Global Tech Transfer programs, the Crop Resilience Lead will design and execute climate resilience solutions that mitigate the effects of climate change on Driscoll's berry crops, identifying core resiliency priorities based on Business strategic plans and scientific agronomic opportunities.

This senior technical position requires the ability to manage multiple initiatives, manage and lead other technical experts, facilitate positive and solution-orientated discussions with key stakeholders, a high-level understanding of plant science, plant physiology, horticultural production system, as well as organisational and compliance requirements across multiple geographies. The implementation of strategy and multi-regional level impact programs is a key function.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Directly support the implementation of production projects within the Australian BU (infrastructure and production systems) when relevant and requested. 
• Provides technical expertise, agronomic solutions and overall vision in developing relevant global knowledge transfer programs that respond to Driscoll's global business priorities. These programs will better equip our regional technical teams to develop and implement the production strategies associated to commercial plans. 
• Leads their Global R&D Technology Transfer group, providing mentorship, direction, motivation, and courage 
• Develops talent, both through formal as well as through informal relationships and organisational structures across the Enterprise. 
• Bridge the Gap between different BU's when it's come to collaboration, connection, and knowledge/Expertise sharing. 
• Develops strategies to provide foundational Agronomical knowledge to the Australian Business Unit 
• Designs and implements key strategic crop resilience solutions that can elevate Driscoll's berry production's ability to better prepare for extreme weather events and climate change. Survey's growers and internal relevant teams to identify the core crop resilience priorities that growers can test and adopt. 
• Networks across other agricultural industries, academia and other relevant institutions to scout for advances in crop resilience and climate change mitigation. 
• Collaborates with all other R&D functional groups, with Applied Research, and regional Agronomy, Operational and Production teams ensure deployment of technologies and information to growers globally. 
• Maintains a deep understanding of Driscoll's breeding programs, production systems and production environments, identifying the knowledge packages that augment the genetic value of genetic cultivars. 
• Mentors and provides technical stewardship to regional agronomy programs, applied research teams, developing training programs that advance their competences, their technical robustness and business-oriented plant science acumen. 
• Designs and leads a global agronomy connectivity program that liaise all regional teams and maintains them updated, informed about regional and global advanced, external technology and genetic potential 
• Ensures the security of Driscoll's confidential and proprietary information and materials. 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

To be considered for this role, applicants will need to demonstrate capabilities in the following:

• Degree in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Agriculture Science, Horticulture, or related field required. 
• 10+ years of work experience, preferably with industry relevant background and exposure to berry genetics.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams and developing their talent potential 
• Extensive experience in agronomy programs across regions, strong GxExM expertise, and proven leadership in managing and motivating teams.
• Experience in designing and delivering knowledge transfer programs for diverse fruit growers, yielding tangible short-term and long-term results.
• Ability to mentor, teach and communicate with excellence and clarity. 
• Unrestricted Australian working rights.
• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions are also required. 

ABOUT US

Driscoll’s Australia (Berry Holdings of Australia Pty Ltd & Costa Berry Holdings Pty Ltd) is an exciting joint venture company owned by Costa Group - Australia’s leading integrated growing and marketer of premium quality fresh produce and Driscoll’s (USA) – the world’s market leader in berries.  Partnering with a broad grower base across a national footprint, Driscoll’s Australia supplies year round delicious, branded berries to consumers using exclusively patented varieties developed by our joint venture partners breeding programs. Since our inception we have successfully achieved significant yearly growth and market share, enabling us to become the market leader in our category.

Salary for this position is $150,000 AUD