Technical Specialist (Propagation)

• Based in Pakenham on a state-of-the-art 1200 sqm facility 
• Be part of a leading global brand with operations across Australia, Europe, Middle East, North & South America 
• Lead innovative projects 

THE ROLE

In this role, you will oversee tissue culture operations, ensuring optimal quality and performance. Reporting to the Laboratory Manager, your responsibilities will include enforcing best practices in plant propagation, auditing plant quality, updating technical documentation, leading research projects, and nurturing the development of lab staff.

Ideally, you will have experience in horticulture, a commercial plant nursery, or a plant tissue culture laboratory, with a proven ability to lead teams and ensure protocol compliance. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential to guide and enhance the technical expertise of the tissue culture staff. Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the initiation of our four berry types, ensuring sterile techniques and protocols for successful culture establishment.
• Overseeing the berry gene bank’s maintenance and documentation, ensuring proper labelling, storage, and preservation of clones.
• Collaborating with production planning teams to create initiation schedules, optimising resources and ensuring timely project progression.
• Monitoring culture conditions to maintain quality standards throughout initiation and maintenance.
• Training and guiding the initiation team in tissue culture techniques, with a focus on new initiations and gene bank management.
• Maintaining comprehensive records in IVS software, tracking growth parameters and progress for accurate reporting and decision-making

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

To be considered for this role you will need to be able to demonstrate capabilities in the following:

• Strong background in plant tissue culture and plant propagation techniques.
• Experience in quality control, auditing, and developing technical documentation.
• Proven ability to train and mentor staff to enhance their technical skills.

BENEFITS

Want to join Driscoll’s? Our passion for berries extends to nurturing our people, we invest in your growth and prosperity through various benefits:

• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks’ pay for the primary carer and up to 2 weeks for the secondary carer.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Programs designed to support your professional development.
• Employee Reward and Recognition: Service recognition awards and access to perks and discounted products through our recognition program
• Annual Health Program: Seasonal flu shots
• Study Leave: Support your educational pursuits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Tailored well-being programs, confidential advice and big brand discounts!
• Novated Car Lease: Enjoy the convenience and savings on a novated lease

Experience the Driscoll’s difference. Apply now to connect with our friendly team and learn more about the exceptional employee experience at Driscoll’s. 

ABOUT US

Driscoll’s Australia 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.