Testing Specialist (Research & Development – Delmas, Mpumalanga) at Corteva Agriscience

Your Challenge:

• Responsibility to ensure all phenotyping activities are executed at assigned trial locations; from cooperator sourcing, seed preparation, planting, crop maintenance, data collection (including UAV/drones) and harvesting.
• Works as part of a team to plan and execute experiments/trials efficiently and accurately within seasonal deadlines.
• Interact within all programs at the station with a mindset focused on continuous improvement.
• Participate in improvement of safety programs and protocols (safety, efficiency, effectiveness) specific to direct work environment to identify and communicate potential risks and benefits.
• Complete personal development activities as part of a performance management and development plan

Key Stakeholders and Interactions:

• Local Seed Product Development team and site management. Local EHS&S teams. Interaction with regional experiment owners, location stewards, field operational teams, specialized equipment operators and site operations lead.

Qualifications

To Grow What Matters, You Will Need

• B.Sc. / B.Sc. Agric degree with a strong background in agronomy
• 3 years industry-related experience required.
• Proven ability to make timely decisions, solve problems and build consensus.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills are required for fostering teamwork, enhancing a good working environment, and effectively developing strong working relationships with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to perform activities requiring broad theoretical grounding and understanding of classes of problems in a specified arena (i.e. agriculture, biology).
• Technical and mechanical skills are a must for maintenance of agricultural equipment, to ensure excellent condition and safety of equipment and vehicles at any time.
• Experience with UAV/drone applications in agriculture will be beneficial.
• Proficiency in Office software such as spreadsheets, mail, calendar, and presentation software.
• High workload with long hours, regular travelling, and weekend work during seasonal peaks
• Ability to work outside in all kinds of weather and to stand/sit for extended periods.
• Experimental design and data analysis.
• Has a valid driver’s license. Experience driving a pick-up or SUV would be beneficial.

Who Are We Looking For?

• Curious, bold thinkers who want to grow their careers and be part of a winning team.
• Market shaping individuals who want to transform the agriculture industry to meet the world’s growing need for food.
• Collaborators who thrive in a diverse, inclusive work environment
• Innovators who bring initiative and fresh ideas that drive our business into the future and make us an industry leader.