About the Opportunity
The Variety Development Lead for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) will lead the R&D and Variety Development efforts for all berry crops in United Kingdom, Europe, and Africa. In this role, you will ensure efficient and effective trialing and deployment of new varieties and other “AgTech” solutions that achieve the strategic and operational objectives of the target regions. Through proven people leadership and technical expertise, you will guide two strawberry breeding programs based in the UK and global variety development piplelines for all four berries across the EMEA region. Strong collaboration with Breeding Nursery and Research Farming teams will be key to your success and through your leadership, you will develop and maintain a coordinated relationship with the Global Breeding Directors as well as Product Leadership, Operational Management and Applied Research teams within the Driscoll’s of EMEA business unit (DEMEA) for effective genetic deployment. This role will guide the development, evaluation, implementation and deployment of innovative new R&D technologies to provide superior products differentiated in consumer delight and grower profitability.
Responsibilities
Accountabilities
• Provide day-to-day management and local leadership to the breeding and variety development managers and staff in the United Kingdom, Portugal and Morocco. Mentor and onboard staff to foster collaboration among all team members across all business units making regular visits to all EMEA production locations
• Operational and capital budgeting for all breeding and variety development activities, in collaboration with the Global Breeding Directors
• Maintain an active and productive role with Driscoll’s of EMEA (DEMEA) Product Leadership team, contributing to the success of the DEMEA initiatives and marketplace results through the development and deployment of new genetics
• Participate in the development and implementation of DEMEA strategic plans. Identify gaps and opportunities for Global R&D to address through, variety development, research and deployment. Communicate these opportunities to Global R&D leadership for the development of programs and projects to create solutions
• Lead and coordinate the Global Breeding efforts in the commercialization processes in DEMEA and confirm that staff are well informed. Ensure that global staff are aware and involved in the process and, when required, in the decision making
• Build awareness throughout DEMEA of Global R&D solutions and work with DEMEA leadership to incorporate these solutions into future strategic planning
• Foster strong teamwork with colleagues in DEMEA, particularly the Product Leadership, Applied Research and Operations teams
• Foster strong teamwork between the breeding, breeding nursery and test plot farming teams
• Guide breeding and variety development teams to develop compelling representations of the berry genetic pipeline, including competitive positioning, related program velocities, commercial impact forecasts, and fast track prioritizations
• Provide progress reports and annual reports as requested
• Promote optimal handoffs to the business units and their respective production regions, including on farm trial success, for highly effective genetic deployment
Collaborative Responsibilities:
• Assist with the development, standardization and optimization of breeding protocols
• With input from a cross-functional team representing strategic supply, nursery, quality assurance and local production management, provide local knowledge and strategic awareness to Global Breeding Directors to support the development of: Cross trialing and test plot strategies, including but not limited to new geographies and production systems; Long-range Breeding Targets and mid-range Commercialization Thresholds for the release of commercial cultivars
• Partner with Global Breeding Directors and R&D Leadership to manage financial allocations effectively across the various project to align R&D efforts with business objective
• Coordinate with nursery and clean-stock programs to ensure material is available for cross-trialing plans in cooperation with the Global Breeding Directors. Track and verify breeding nursery plant orders, particularly those related to fast-track programs, to ensure optimal progress in plant material production and timing
• Assist Global Genetic Deployment with the development and tracking of key scorecard metrics associated with genetic deployment. Communicate metric’s results with key stakeholders as required
• Collaborate with molecular breeding staff, plant physiologists, plant pathologists, entomologist, post-harvest physiologists and food chemists to further the objectives of the breeding program
General
• Follow Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, Growers, Customers, Suppliers, governmental agencies, etc.
• Ensure the security of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials
• Total work time required for domestic and international travel, approximately 30%
Candidate Profile
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with ten plus years of produce and agriculture related experience, with direct experience in berry crops
• Proven people management skills and experience
• Successful track record of planning, coordinating, and proactively directing broad, complex programs
• Solid experience in effective change management, including deployment of new products, processes, or systems
• Capability to manage a highly complex R&D program structure at a large scale and within a global operational setting
• Strategic thinker who can understand and link long term business objectives with long term genetic development priorities
• Must be able to translate strategic objectives into test plot and breeding nursery operations
• Able to work independently and as part of a team while collaborating with colleagues in achieving team goals
• Broad industry knowledge including awareness and understanding of competitors, global genetic tools and cultural systems
• Solid understanding of grower economic drivers and farming economics
• Must be disciplined, able to lead and supervise people, to manage several projects at the same time, and have good verbal and written communication skills, and able to collaborate toward innovative breeding solutions to improve processes
• Must be a self-starter, hands-on, able to lift 50 pounds on an intermittent basis, and able to travel to other Driscoll’s facilities, with a valid driver’s license
• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions are also required
What We Do
Driscoll’s is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s is passionate about growing great tasting berries.
Driscoll’s exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – that means no GMOs. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on family farms. Our independent berry growers then work with Mother Nature, using experience and know-how to get the very best out of each strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry plant.
Driscoll’s is serious about yummy berries! Driscoll’s is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries ™.
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