Hybrid Seed Production Manager at EarthStream Global

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

• The hybrid seed production manager is to establish a new program in South Africa. Many of our clients products are based on molecules extracted from plants as their primary active ingredient. Xanthophyll Marigolds are an important strategic crop and a sophisticated breeding program and hybrid development pipeline has been established.
• They are now in the process of setting up a hybrid seed production program to be located in South Africa as a compliment to seed production in Central America and Asia The hybrid seed production manager will play an important role in establishing the facility, hiring a labour force and executing early stage hybrid seed production through to commercial scale seed production as part of the specialty crop improvement (SCI) team. The position will report to the Vice President, Crop Technology.
• The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in agronomy, horticulture or similar field; 5-10 years of experience in hybrid seed production operations; 5 years’ experience in field management; and a valid driving license. Essential functions include: locating rentable or leasable land to establish hybrid seed production; establishing the hybrid production program on up to 25 hectares of rented/leased land; establish and maintain irrigation; establish seed cleaning capabilities; hiring, manage, supervise and mentor all farm labour; designing and manage hybrid seed production fields/plots; managing co-operator growers as needed; coordinating space needs with other SCI teams; managing all farm operations and inputs, including crop nutrition, pest control and irrigation; tracking expenses and budget for farm operations; making capital recommendations for equipment in cooperation with SCI management; operating farming equipment as needed to achieve crop management and seed production goals; coordinating tours and customer visits to the SCI hybrid production farm; working closely with the SCI global marigold breeding team; managing the processes required to receive seed from; and ship to, multiple continents.
• The successful candidate must have: a passion for plants and working in a field environment; a practical knowledge of hybrid seed production in vegetable or flower crops; be self-motivated and excellent problem-solving skills; have good organizational skills and ability to work to deadlines; experience with field planning design and execution experience; experience managing people; be able to think out of the box and use creative solutions to problem solving; must be proficient in spoken and written English; a positive attitude and resilience in adverse working conditions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in agronomy, horticulture or similar field.
• 5-10 years of experience in hybrid seed production operations.
• 5 years’ experience in field management.
• A valid driving license.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Locate rentable or leasable land to establish hybrid seed production.
• Establish the hybrid production program on up to 25 hectares of rented/leased land.
• Establish and maintain irrigation.
• Establish seed cleaning capabilities.
• Hire, manage, supervise and mentor all farm labor.
• Design and manage hybrid seed production fields/plots.
• Manager cooperator growers as needed.
• Coordinate space needs with other SCI teams.
• Manage all farm operations and inputs, including crop nutrition, pest control and irrigation.
• Track expenses and budget for farm operations.
• Make capital recommendations for equipment in cooperation with SCI management.
• Operate farming equipment as needed to achieve crop management and seed production goals.
• Coordinate tours and customer visits to the SCI hybrid production farm.
• Work closely with the SCI global marigold breeding team.
• Manage the paperwork required to receive seed from and ship to multiple continents

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCES:

• A passion for plants and working in a field environment.
• A practical knowledge of hybrid seed production in vegetable or flower crops.
• Self-motivated and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work to deadlines.
• Field planning design and execution experience.
• Experience managing people.
• Be able to think out of the box and use creative solutions to problem solving.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Positive attitude and resilience in adverse working conditions.
• Ability to implement alternative plans based on weather conditions.