Field Testing Agronomist South Africa at Bayer

Job Purpose:

• Product evaluation: Responsible for the design and execution of a network of in-house and participatory managed Field-testing locations for the testing of Genotype × Environment × Management interactions.
• Cooperator engagement: Contact for farmer-cooperators in their network of trials.
• Manage Technology Deployment: Implementation of innovative technologies designed to enhance phenotyping, such as use of geospatial systems, advanced planting and harvesting equipment, automated data capture and software systems, climatic and soil sensor instrumentation, aerial imagery applications, and digital operational management.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Responsible, with high level of autonomy from testing hub, for site selection, grower relationships, workflow planning and execution, and recording of all field management practices relevant to cropping system.
• Organize planting, plot management, data collection and harvest operations of maize trials in alignment with Breeding objectives.
• Operating research equipment like planters, tractors, combines and sensing devices for testing purposes.
• Plan and execute work activities in collaboration with Operations Coach, peers, and other stakeholders to enable optimal resource use across the entire country testing network.
• Organize and execute day-to-day priorities associated with data collection at sites, alone or as a leader of small seasonal workers teams.
• Take ownership for timely data delivery, trial quality, support OC during data quality checking and ensuring achievement of overall team data quality targets using organizational data reporting and visualization platforms.
• Assign work in area of responsibility to contract/ seasonal workers, lead process improvements in safety/compliance/plot quality
•  monitor and acquire field and equipment supplies.
• Provide on-site training and supervision of temporary/ seasonal employees and junior staff on standard operating procedures in area of responsibility.
• Travel up to 70% of the time particularly during peak seasons, to ensure data delivery for key product advancement deadlines and supervision of field activities.
• Creating a culture of safety, quality, and compliance through active participation and adherence to all SSHE initiatives in the region.

Qualifications Required:

• BSc in Agronomy, Crop Science, Breeding, or related fields with at least 3+ years relevant experience or, MSc in relevant field with 1 year experience through previous employment, or academic experience.
• OR College Diploma and minimum of 5+ years’ experience in a technology-based field-testing environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Broad knowledge and experience with agricultural equipment and row crop production practices and history of leveraging that knowledge in a research environment.
• Knowledge of crop production, crop protection, farming practices and equipment management.
• Basic understanding and passion for emerging trends in agriculture.
• Strong competency with MS-Office software products and statistical systems (desired) used in scientific data analysis, with ability to quickly learn new software programs and tools.
• Excellent data management, acquisition, organization, analysis, and presentation skills.
• Flexibility in an agile work environment.
• Good communication (English) and influencing skills.
• Excellent personal interaction skills and leadership capabilities.