Agricultural Research & Development Manager

Job title: Agricultural Research & Development Manager

Company: J.D. Irving

Job description: Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen food products in markets throughout Canada, the United States, and around the world…and we’re still growing. We’ve got a Head Office in Dieppe, NB with Sales Offices located in Toronto, Montreal and Boston. We’re a company that rewards performance and initiative, looking for people who deserve to be recognized for rolling up their sleeves’ and getting the job done.

Reporting to : Director of Research, Breeding and Seed Development

Main Purpose – responsible to create synergies and develop new agricultural products and practices to support potato commercial program. Need to establish strategic collaboration projects with public and private Agricultural Research institutes to look for top technologies available to support Cavendish Farms business. Assists with the management of the variety development program, provide technical support to growers and establishment of innovative projects.

Responsibilities: – in charge of 3 main platforms: Technical Support, Variety Development of new processing potato varieties, transfer new techniques for seed and commercial production.

• Development of new processing potato varieties, transfer new techniques for seed and commercial production.
• Work with private and public breeding institutions to obtain new promising potato varieties for testing and distribution to growers.
• Assists with the management and direction of the research and development programs to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products.
• Develops and implements research and development procedures and techniques.
• Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results and provides recommendations based on findings.
• Ensures staff execute their day-to-day tasks.
• Implement protocols, screen and qualify new potato varieties to get more adapted varieties with high field yield potential to support the business on raw material cost reduction.
• Training and coaching of human capital; spread culture of team work and collaboration, sharing good practices, technical and business information to the Team.
• Assists with the management of the Ag Research Program, conducting research trials, reporting all technical advances, new technologies and products to generate solutions to potato production system.
• Maintain key relationships with Federal and State public institutions, in order to import or export new varieties for testing.
• Establishment of best agricultural practices to optimize field productivity and quality.
• Assists with the assessment of the scope of research projects and assists with ensuring they are on time and within budget.
• Assists with ensuring that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhere to approved budgets.

Accountabilities – Ag. R&D manager is responsible for two direct reports (full-time) and seasonal labour.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors degree in Agriculture, Biology or related field required;
• 5-7 years of experience working in agricultural research or related field;

Key Skills/Experience Required – To be successful as a research and development manager, you must:

• Have strong leadership skills, technical and business knowledge.
• Have the ability to take decisions.
• Be able to see the big picture as you will have to envision projects from start to finish.
• Have a keen ability to pay attention to details is important, as the manager need to closely supervise every step of the development process for new products or technologies.
• Have leadership and managerial skills as well as the ability to communicate well with directors, colleagues and lower level staff.
• A strong sense of creativity will also aid in the process of thinking of new product ideas and solving problems creatively;
• Have the ability to meet deadlines and deal with pressure, particularly around planting and harvesting seasons.
• Be able to coach staff and help them deal with pressures associated with the seasons.
• Be able to balance and juggle priorities as it relates to both field and office work and the time spent between the two.

Role can require extended hours during planting and harvesting, which can include weekend work and trips inside and outside of Canada.

Main interactions within & outside organization – This position has monthly contact with other Cavendish Farms Departments as well as other Irving group companies (Cavendish Agri-services, Woodlands). Frequent collaboration with public (PEI Potato Board, PEI Department of Agriculture, Ag Canada, universities) and private researchers, consultants and companies.

Comments – For this position is important to work with a cross-functional business team to provide a robust service to the strategic potato supply program.

Work Address – 281 Old Station Road, New Annan, PEI.

Terms of Employment – This is a Permanent Full-time Position in New Annan, PEI – 40 hours per week

Language of Work – English

Salary – $80,000 – $120,000 With 15% Annual Bonus

Benefits – Full benefits package which includes medical, health and dental plan and a retirement plan.

To Apply for this Career Opportunity:

Please apply online by November 30th, 2020.

We appreciate your interest in our company! Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To learn more about our products and services, click .

Cavendish Farms Corporation is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment practices and to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment for all employees.

Expected salary: $80000 – 120000 per year

Location: Canada

Job date: Wed, 02 Dec 2020 23:04:57 GMT