Head of Research & Development – Agriculture at Omnia (Pty) LTD

Overview    

• Omnia is looking for an exceptional, forward thinking Head of R&D: Agriculture to lead and shape our global innovation agenda at a time of rapid transformation in the agricultural sector. This is a pivotal executive role where you will drive the development of next generation fertilizer and biostimulant solutions that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges from food security to climate resilience and sustainable farming practices.
• As the Head of R&D, you will be responsible for translating strategic business priorities into a high-impact innovation pipeline, ensuring that scientific discovery is effectively converted into commercially viable, market-leading products. You will lead diverse, cross-regional teams across South Africa, Australia, the USA, and Brazil, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture that accelerates innovation and knowledge sharing.
• This role requires a strong blend of scientific excellence, commercial insight, and strategic influence. You will work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to identify emerging technologies, anticipate market and regulatory shifts, and position Omnia at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
• You will also play a key role in building and strengthening external partnerships across academia, research institutions, and technology ecosystems to unlock new capabilities and co-develop breakthrough solutions. With accountability for the full R&D lifecycle from ideation through to commercialization, you will ensure that innovation efforts are aligned with both global strategy and regional market needs.
• This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader who is passionate about driving sustainable impact at scale, shaping the future of agriculture through cutting-edge science, and delivering tangible value to farmers and stakeholders worldwide.

Qualifications    
PhD or Masters degree in:

• Agronomy
• Plant Science
• Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• or a related scientific discipline

Experience    
8 to 12+ years of progressive R&D experience in:

• Fertilizers
• Biostimulants
• Agro-inputs
• Proven experience leading global or multi-regional R&D programmes
• Demonstrated success in:
• Product innovation
• Product lifecycle management

Technical Expertise: 

• Strong understanding of global regulatory environments for crop inputs
• Expertise in agricultural innovation, formulation technologies, and agronomic solutions

Duties    
Strategic Leadership & R&D Direction

• Define and execute a global R&D strategy aligned to business growth, sustainability, and innovation objectives
• Identify priority crops, technologies and solution platforms across key markets
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable regional research programmes
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on innovation trends and agronomic challenges

Innovation Pipeline Management

• Lead and manage the full innovation lifecycle (short-, mid-, long-term pipeline)
• Drive structured stage-gate governance to evaluate viability, regulatory readiness, and commercial potential
• Make data-driven decisions on project prioritisation, acceleration, or termination
• Ensure a balanced portfolio of incremental, breakthrough, and climate-smart solutions

Research Execution & Scientific Excellence

• Oversee global research initiatives including lab, greenhouse, and field trial programmes
• Ensure high-quality, consistent data generation and reporting
• Establish best-practice frameworks for knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with marketing, regulatory, supply chain, and commercial teams to deliver market-ready innovations
• Drive seamless technology transfer from R&D into production and commercialization
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, and technology providers
• Represent R&D in governance and portfolio review forums

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Ensure alignment with global regulatory frameworks for fertilizers, biostimulants, and biosafety
• Uphold highest standards of IP protection, scientific integrity, and compliance
• Anticipate regulatory trends and proactively adapt research strategies

Talent, Capability & Resource Management

• Lead and develop high-performing global R&D teams across multiple regions
• Manage global R&D budgets and resource allocation
• Drive talent development through coaching, capability building, and hiring
• Define long-term infrastructure and research investment strategy

Job Competencies    

• Strategic thinking & innovation leadership
• Strong scientific rigor with commercial acumen
• Global mindset with cross-cultural leadership ability
• Data-driven decision-making
• Stakeholder influence and executive communication
• Change leadership and operational excellence

Deadline:11th June,2026