Senior Agronomist

Job content

Main Duties:

To provide day to day advice and expertise to the Growing Teams, ensuring that plant growth conditions are maximised to produce the best quality crop possible whilst meeting production planning requirements.

To investigate crop problems and develop solutions whilst assisting with the introduction of new methods of growing crops to secure more efficient production, improved quality, and higher yields.

Employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by employees’ actions at work. Employees must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements

· To provide advice and assistance to the growing teams to grow the companies crops to agreed standards and quantities within agreed timescales

· To ensure early identification and control of pests and diseases and to provide guidance and help on methods of control for them

· To advise and guide on ensuring that watering of the crop is appropriately timed and controlled

· Study crop production techniques to discover the best methods for example of sowing, planting, cultivation, and the effects of various climatic conditions on the crops

· Liaise with the company’s key suppliers in order to put in place an improvement programme for our substrate suppliers/pot and punnet suppliers etc where the structure and design impact upon agronomic issues

· To keep abreast of new techniques and production systems through industry specific media, courses, industry contacts and conferences and to impart this knowledge to the key members of the growing team

· To assist in the completion of audits when required where the agronomy of the crop is a fundamental part of the audit

· To highlight financial implications of any proposed changes to the Head of Horticultural Operations and produce business cases/capex submissions in conjunction with the General Managers where appropriate.

· To provide advice of micro bacterial issues across the site as required

· To agree monitoring and surveillance programmes for the sites micro bacterial in agreement with the site technical team

· To provide help and assistance to other departments when required

To participate in companywide projects which may be required from time to time

· To provide management cover to other sites as required covering absences

· To deliver a detailed training and development plan for all members of the Agronomy and crop protection team.

· To embrace new sensors and monitoring equipment, research and deliver potential new technologies and automation.

· To work with and manage PhD projects with selected universities and research bodies. To be proactive within the wider growing community and sit on governing bodies and steer thought process and legislation where possible.

· Full budget responsibility for all crop protection areas.

Application deadline: 03/11/2021

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

• Bonus scheme

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discounts

Schedule:

• Day shift

COVID-19 considerations:
COVID precautions are being met

Application question(s):

• Are you BASIS and FACTS Qualified?
• Do you hold a relevant degree or equivalent?

Experience:

• agronomy: 3 years (required)

Work remotely:

• No