Position Title: Agronomist: Regenerative
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Delmas
Requisition ID: 32912


REGENERATIVE AGRONOMIST


Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the positions of Regenerative Agronomist reporting to the Agronomy Manager. The positions will be based in our operation in Delmas.


PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• Potato growers face increasing challenges from climate change and variable weather, rising input costs, and regulatory uncertainty. To face these existential threats to our industry, and secure supply for the future, Mc Cain is partnering with our growers to re-imagine the way we grow potatoes with a commitment to implement regenerative agricultural practices. Mc Cain defines Regenerative agriculture as an ecosystem-based approach to farming to improve farm resilience, crop yield and quality. The framework includes armoured soils, preferably with living plants; enhanced crop diversity; minimised soil disturbance; reduced toxicity of pesticides; enhanced farm and ecosystem diversity; reduced agro-chemical impact; optimised water use and increased soil organic matter. While it is a global framework, we are working closely with our farmers to discover what works best on their farms
• in a way that makes economic and agronomic sense for each country and region. The Mc Cain Regenerative Agriculture Framework is a farmer-centered framework developed in consultation with growers and other agricultural experts. It is a pathway to progress and guide for our farmers to support their progression toward a more regenerative model.

• Sustainability & regenerative agriculture trials to expand knowledge regarding best practices for Regenerative agriculture locally
• Share local and global regenerative agriculture knowledge & implementation
• Ability to build trust and personal connections with a very large range of stakeholder profiles
• Monitoring and keeping record of farmers regenerative progress
• Resource use efficiency improvement (Increase yield, improve quality, reduced input costs, reduced pesticide & fertilizer inputs etc);
• Represent Mc Cain SA on Global platform;
• Knowledge transfer & technology exchange;
• Cross functional support;
• Research & innovation/networking.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This person will also be responsible for training to increase farmers’ understanding of the benefits and opportunities of Regenerative agriculture in potato cropping systems and equip them with the knowledge to address any challenges. The regenerative agronomist will also be responsible for research and development regarding regenerative agriculture, such as reduced tillage, pesticide & fumigation reduction, and biological control products. These trials will mostly be performed at our Farms of the Future program, as well as undertaking university trials, developing unique partnerships and creating Innovation Hub models with farmers. Also developing digital agriculture technologies to ensure farmers have access to better quality data and insights. We continue to work collectively with other stakeholders to harmonize and align measurement tools and verification practices.

• Support Agriculture and other Mc Cain divisions regarding regenerative agriculture related information. Format can be from investigation with report to providing of information, testing facilities, research. Provide information to various global and local teams in their format to enable reporting on global/ local scale. Capture known information needs on a regular basis to enable fast turn-around time where possible. Assist all Agriculture divisions on request when challenges are experienced in the format required. Facilitate and drive health and safety within Agronomy. Ensure continual capacity development within Agriculture, including self.

• Supply/handle crop inputs at fields during the growing season: potato seed, fertilizer, water.
• General farming activities carry out with tractor during planting season.
• Transport potatoes from harvester to loading line.
• Do daily inspection checks on the tractor and report deviations to Farm Unit Leader
• Assist with equipment maintenance and repairs in workshop or field
• Carry out general farming activities on a daily basis and as per ad hoc instruction
• Ensure that all work in executed within a safe environment.
• Ensure that all safety guards are working and in place on equipment
• Wear the correctly allocated PPE at all times.

• Equipment safety guards
• Keep the work area clean and safe (equipment, tractors, workshop)

REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc Degree in relevant Agricultural/regenerative/sustainability sciences
• Valid Tractor Drivers License
• At least 3 years’ experience on regenerative/ sustainable agriculture sector or related subject.
• Experience and understanding of statistical trials (planning, lay-out, planting to evaluation), regenerative & fertilizer trials experience will be At least 3 years’ experience on regenerative/ sustainable agriculture sector or related subject.
• Experience and understanding of statistical trials (planning, lay-out, planting to evaluation), regenerative & fertilizer trials experience will be an advantage
• Report writing skills in English must be well developed

• Good working knowledge on statistical analysis and implications in regards to trials
• Good knowledge and understanding of agricultural production systems and variables, e.g. crops, climate, disease, fertilization, irrigation, soils, equipment etc.
• Knowledge of current and emerging agricultural technologies
• Strong analytical and computer skills
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Willing to travel extensively
• Strong track record in multi-stakeholders and cross functional project and program management.
• Can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of farmer’s profiles, needs, ways of working and culture.
• Nice to have: Economic viability (ROI) ability; soil science basics; irrigation knowledge; good practical equipment experience (STIR); soil health / biodiversity / ecology; basic climate knowledge.

The closing date for applications is 12 November 2024
To apply, please visit: Internal applicants: Employee Online Services > Career and Development
External applicants: www.mccain.com/careers/


Mc Cain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.

Mc Cain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

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Job Family: Agriculture
Division: South Africa
Department: Agronomy
Location(s): ZA - South Africa : Mpumalanga : Delmas || ZA - South Africa : Eastern Cape : Port Elizabeth || ZA - South Africa : Free State : Bloemfontein || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Bapsfontein || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Bedfordview || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Bronkhorstspruit || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Johannesburg || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Katlehong || ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Springs || ZA - South Africa : Kwa Zulu-Natal : Durban || ZA - South Africa : Limpopo : Marble Hall || ZA - South Africa : North West : Lichtenburg || ZA - South Africa : Other : Reference job description || ZA - South Africa : Western Cape : Cape Town || ZA - South Africa : Western Cape : George
Company: Mc Cain Foods (S Africa)