Description
Reports to
: GTS Area Manager LATAM
Location:
Ica, Peru.
Overview
: The Senior Agronomist's job is to assist growers and marketers to improve the performance of our company's proprietary varieties on their farms and maximize the profitability of these varieties while also performing applied research of our commercial and new varieties. This position's main focus will be table grapes; however, over time, will also offer some support related to mangos and avocados.
Responsibilities And Duties
* Perform regular visits to designated commercial farms where our company's proprietary varieties are grown under license, evaluate the varieties' performance, estimate yield, monitor fruit quality, identify technical challenges, provide growers with technical support, and follow up on its implementation and progress. Also, be able to generate technical reports, for both growers (after visits) and internal (after trips or summarizing the season).
* Conduct and execute field trials aimed at creating new knowledge needed to overcome technical challenges that limit yield and/or fruit quality of our company's proprietary varieties. This includes trial design, data collection, data analysis and final report.
* Optimize Sun World's success by assisting with new pipeline variety evaluation and test block trial managements, developing guidelines for best cultural practices for these varieties.
* Develop and implement various channels of communications with our company's licensees in the region, such as Chat groups, webinars, broadcasting, newsletters, and field days and use these channels to deliver valuable technical information at relevant times during the season.
* Maintain consistent and productive relationships with entities and professionals who may contribute to our company's success, such as government and private researchers, extension service, farm advisors, growers' associations & committees, etc.
* Optimize data intelligence and support building of a technology system, through constant search, and evaluation of technologies that may be beneficial to our company and/or to our licensees.
* Support Licensing Manager with information needed for best business management.
* Actively participate in GTS (Global Technical Services) teamwork, events, duties and participation, contributing to team success.
* National travel: Regular visits to all table grape areas in Peru (Piura, Olmos, Chiclayo, Pisco, Arequipa), and also Ecuador (Zapotillo & Santa Elena). Person can expect to spend 4 days per week doing farm visits, and 1 day working from home to complete reports and other administrative work.
* International travel: Possibly 2 trips per year days max total) in 2 regions with active Sun World plantings. Further trips might be decided according to needs of training, meetings and relevant company needs.
Requirements
* A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role, such as technical/applied researcher, agronomist, or a farm advisor.
* Deep knowledge of the Vitis world, anatomy of the grapevine, plant nutrition, soil characteristics, rootstocks, irrigation systems and other agronomic subjects.
* Bachelor's degree required, with a Master's degree preferred (in the field of Agronomy). Specialization in viticulture is preferred.
* Fluency in both English and Spanish.
* High flexibility and mobility, readiness to travel, willingness to work during non-standard hours and on weekends/holidays if necessary.
* A high level of proficiency with Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
* An understanding of procedures, responsibilities, and systems.
* Exceptional time management skills and organizational ability, with the skill to multi-task and prioritize tasks. Ability to identify and suggest improvements.
* Organized, good at documenting and retrieving data, files, and reports.
* Curious, investigational in his/her DNA, always willing to try and learn something new.
* High level problem solving skills, a keen eye for detail.
* High level of confidentiality and ability to not disclose farm and company information.
Of note: Person must live in, or within close proximity to, Ica Peru.
Work schedule: 100% remote.