Lead Agronomist - Jobs in Florenceville-Bristol, NB

Job Description

Position Title: Lead AgronomistPosition Type: Regular - Full-TimePosition Location: Florenceville MainGrade: 00Requisition ID: 17478Summary of PositionThe Lead Agronomist is responsible for developing our regional agronomic strategies to drive improvements in yield and quality for our growers. You will lead a team of agronomists in your larger region aimed at improving potato production through targeted extension work, leveraging new sustainable agricultural practices and unlocking the full value on new varieties. Ideal candidates will have natural leadership talent with the ability to leverage deep potato production knowledge into proven results for their teams and our growers. In addition, you will have oversight and management of the McCain Research Farm in Centreville, NB. The Agronomist Lead position is based in New Brunswick and will report directly to the Manager of Agronomy.Please note, that there are two North America Lead Agronomist opportunities available within this posting. One will be in Florenceville, New Brunswick and the other on the West Coast (ideally Washington, Idaho or Alberta, Canada).Essential Responsibilities include the following:Potato Production and Extension Management

• Lead local team of Agronomists ensuring they stay on target for research, crop intelligence and grower extension objectives for their region.
• Develop and enact regional agronomy plans (agronomy, regenerative agriculture, storage and new variety) to improve and secure potato supply in assigned regions.
• Drive grower engagement in developing regenerative agricultural practices in their operations aimed at improving long-term production stability and profitability.
• Develop your program for local grower agronomic support and train Agronomists and interns with latest potato production knowledge leveraging internal and external resources.
• Work with local regional Agronomists to develop Grower Improvement Plans (GIP) aimed at improving yield and quality through focused extension support. Maintain accountability of plans to targeted objectives.
• Maintain local agronomy 3rd party relationships (industry and academic) ensuring McCain is at the forefront of the latest agronomic and technical solutions.
• Identify and acquire grant funding opportunities to support McCain agronomic and sustainability initiatives.
• Maintain Subject Matter Expertise in one of the following areas: (Irrigation/Equipment, Crop Protection, Regenerative/Sustainable Agriculture and New Variety Agronomics) and work cooperatively with other Senior Agronomists to cover training and cross-regional objectives.
• Champion safe operations and behaviors in work every day with McCain employees and with our growers.

Research Farm Management

• Champion safe operations and behaviors on the research farm.
• Work with regional stakeholders to develop research plans that drive the most impact for our grower partners and McCain Foods.
• Plan and execute agronomic trial plans on the research farm ranging from variety evaluation to testing new technologies and practices focused on improving yield, quality and improving cost savings in potato production and storage keeping McCain Foods at the forefront of potato science research.
• Work with regional agronomists and local McCain growers to execute the commercial production research program aimed at driving adoption of new practices.
• Lead McCain Food’s basic research efforts into regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming.
• Manage a team of seasonal staff during the research season coordinating daily activities.
• Develop novel and innovative solutions to drive efficiency in research farm operations.
• Lead reporting on research farm projects, returning results to McCain Foods’ stakeholders in a timely manner following the research season.
• Manage financial operations on the research farm, keeping expenses within the financial plan.

Professional Development

• Engage in continuous learning opportunities to develop skills and knowledge of potato production.
• Be an engaged and energetic team member supporting fellow Agriculture team members and company objectives.
• Be the face of McCain Agriculture: Represent McCain Foods as a leader in the potato industry.

Qualifications

• Emphasis on strong practical experience in full cycle potato production is critical including storage.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and computer skills needed.
• Knowledge of experimental design, statistical analysis and reporting of results is critical.
• Must have a strong ability to connect and communicate with McCain’s grower partners.
• A minimum of a Bachelor’s of Science degree in agricultural science. Master’s degree in related agricultural sciences is strongly preferred.
• Must have strong soft skills, capable of leading people and projects effectively.
• Must be able to keep self and others on track with objectives; time management and prioritization are key skills.
• This position is most suited to an individual who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has the desire and ability to contribute and grow within the McCain Foods North America organization.
• A strong bias towards workplace safety both for McCain employees and our grower partners.

Certificates, Licenses, RegistrationsValid driver’s licenseProfessional Agrologist Certification or ability to obtain (for Canada regional support)Obtain CMA (Certified McCain Agronomist) Certification within a year after hireQualificationsMinimum to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility in a satisfactory manner in the work environment conditions described below. The essential responsibilities listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required but do not represent all tasks or duties that may be asked of the position. Must be able to work in Canada.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid outdoor conditions. Employees will be required to perform duties in an agricultural setting to include potato fields and potato storages.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and telephone touchscreen and talk or hear.Requires visual acuity to focus on desktop and/or laptop computer screen.Requires standing and sitting for prolonged periods of time, talking and listening. Some heavy lifting is required (40 lbs).Scheduled work times may fluctuate seasonally related to farming cycles, especially during planting and harvesting. We are a global company, must have willingness to occasionally modify work day to accommodate global meeting schedules.McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.The health and safety of McCain employees and their families has been our number one priority since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by science, and in line with our culture and values, we believe that being vaccinated is the most effective way to protect each other, our families, our customers, and our communities. It is therefore a requirement that the successful candidate for this role be fully vaccinated and have completed the mandatory incubation period prior to the candidate’s start date with McCain, subject to reasonable accommodations if you are unable to be vaccinated for protected grounds under applicable human rights legislation (e.g. medical or religious reasons).McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Employee Privacy PolicyJob Family: AgricultureDivision: NA Ag StrategyDepartment: Potato Research FarmLocation(s): CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Bathurst || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Centreville || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Edmundston || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Fredericton || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Grand Falls || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Hartland || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Moncton || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Saint John || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : SomervilleCompany: McCain Foods (Canada)Quick Apply

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