Description:
About the Role
Pacific Seeds is Australia’s leading broadacre seed company. We breed, produce and market leading summer and winter crop seeds and have partnered with farmers around Australia for over 60 years. We are focused on conducting research and developing new products and technologies which ultimately improve grower profitability.
We are looking for a Basic Seed Field Operations Officer to join and support our Parent Seed Team. This is an integral role that will produce targeted quantities of Basic and Experimental Hybrid Seed of given quality within time and cost specifications.
This is a full time, permanent, hands-on role that requires enthusiasm and a desire to learn.
A salary package will be negotiated that is consistent with the successful candidate's skills and experience, along with a range of employment benefits and development opportunities, including but not limited to:
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Relocation assistance (if eligible)
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Flexible working conditions
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Salary sacrifice options
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Company funded training, development opportunities & career pathway
What's the job?
Key accountabilities for this role include the following:
Basic & Experimental Seed Production Strategies
· Assist in the development, planning, coordination and implementing of planting strategies to achieved targeted Basic & Experimental seed production in conjunction with the Basic Seed Agronomist and the Parent Seed Manager.
· Ensure seed purity (physical & genetic), seed quality and quantity requirements are met.
· Support the Basic Seed Agronomist in the location and identification of suitable blocks of land for the production of parent seed.
· Support the Basic Seed Agronomist in negotiations with farmers on production requirements, land preparation, fertilizer requirements, pest management and irrigation.
· Undertake planting of basic and experimental seed increases, ensuring correct planting seed is used and appropriate planting splits are achieved. Establish planting timing of individual parents based on relevant serial planting and production research information and production experience in conjunction with the Basic Seed Agronomist.
· Undertake pest management activities (spraying, cultivation) for weed, insect and disease problems when required.
· Carry out machinery inspections as required ensuring compliance with internal and external QA requirements.
· Organize the harvest, delivery, and drying of Basic, Experimental and Commercial seed to ensure timely availability while maintaining quality and quantity requirements.
· Assist Production Research in planting and management of serial planting and female yield trials.
· Ensure all Parent Seed production is grown in an area and timeframe which allows it to reach full agronomic potential with a maximum chance of success.
· Continually improve the reliability and cost effectiveness of Basic, Experimental and Commercial seed production.
Commercial Seed Production Strategies
· Assist with commercial seed production activities to help build Supply Chain efficiencies when requested by the Parent Seed Manager.
Genetic Purity
· Ensure established genetic purity standards are achieved by ensuring all rouging is carried effectively and in a timely manner.
· Assist the Basic Seed Agronomist undertake a risk analysis of a potential parent seed production block prior to planting. Assessment should include paddock history, location and visual appraisal.
Harvesting
· Ensure harvesting, sampling, drying and delivery is conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures so that seed quality is maintained.
· Ensure all harvesters and handling equipment are inspected and found to be seed free prior to harvest.
· Ensure machinery is always maintained in a safe and operable condition in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Grower Management
· Continue to ensure Advanta Seeds maintains and further develops a professional team of seed production growers capable of achieving the targets of Basic, Experimental and Commercial seed production.
· Establish and maintain professional and mutually beneficial relationships with production growers.
Data & Progress Reporting
· Ensure the Parent Seed Manager is kept fully informed on the progress of Basic, Experimental and Commercial seed production against specified targets.
· Ensure that all crop data, activities and crop inspections are recorded in OneNote and ABS data base in a timely, accurate and efficient manner in accordance with company procedures.
· Ensure that the Parent Seed Manager is updated regularly, particularly if there are any changes to predicted yield, harvest dates or other key issues.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
· Ensure that all work is conducted within protocols and procedures for handling both GM and non-GM products.
· Ensure that any breaches of protocol or procedures for handling GM products are reported to the Basic Seed Agronomist, Parent Seed Manager, and QA Manager as a priority.
Machinery Usage, Repairs & Maintenance
· Use all allocated machinery and vehicles in a safe and professional manner ensuring there is no risk of injury to the operator or others and that there is no unnecessary damage.
· Maintain all allocated machinery and vehicles in good working order, and in accordance with scheduled servicing requirements.
· Arrange cost-effective additional servicing and maintenance requirements with third parties as required.
Who should apply?
As the successful applicant, ideally you will have:
· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Seed Production or Grain Farming.
· Demonstrated ability and confidence in dealing with a range of stakeholders.
· Be a self-starter with well-developed organizational skills and can operate autonomously.
· Excellent verbal communication skills.
· High level skills and experience in MS Office and Excel programs.
· Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
· High attention to detail.
· Preparedness to travel both interstate and intrastate as required.