Job Summary:

Under the direction of the US Nursery Field Operations Director, this position will identify, implement, and evaluate practical applied research trials within the Nursery department.  Responsibilities apply to strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and blackberry nursery plantings. 

As part of this process, the Applied Research Manager is responsible to set Nursery research priorities, fully aligned with DOTA Applied Research Strategies and Enterprise Transformation Initiative priorities.  The Nursery Applied Research Manager will source and manage resources necessary to execute the research plan(s). 

This position will also be responsible for the effective communication of information and results within the Nursery department, as well as with other Driscoll’s Applied Research personnel, and to coordinate with Nursery department staff in the commercialization of effective production solutions.

Job Responsibilities:

This leadership position requires the ability to manage multiple initiatives, facilitate positive and solution-oriented discussions with key stakeholders, a high level understanding of agronomic systems, and organizational and compliance requirements across multiple geographies.

Accountable to: Director US Nursery Operations

• Provides assistance as needed for other research activities in the Nursery.
• Works collaboratively with global nursery partners, including occasional travel to Mexico and other global locations.
• Develop and lead process to set production research priorities for the Nursery department. The process will include collaboration with Nursery department staff representing tissue-culture, production management and ranch management to generate ideas and implement criteria for selecting production research trials.
• Lead evaluation of new genetics for nursery related traits and communicate summarized trait datasets to key stakeholders.
• Play an active role in Driscoll’s Regional and Global Applied Research network in order to generate nursery trial and process improvement ideas.
• Determine, design, and implement test-plot and on-farm trials to achieve prioritized goals. Monitor, maintain, collect data and supervise harvest of nursery trials. Develop, manage and train personnel performing work in nursery trials.
• Provide guidance, oversight, and direction to Driscoll’s contracted applied research lead.
• Track progress of all trials, including follow-through of performance in fruiting fields. Clearly report results in a summarized format throughout Driscoll’s Nursery and Driscoll’s regional and national research teams.
• In coordination with ranch supervisors and field crew, grow test plots in a manner consistent with commercial nursery standards. Walk trial areas, scout for crop troubles and coordinate with ranch staff to implement pest control, irrigation and plant nutrition programs. Maintain accurate records throughout growing season to identify practices followed and any changes incurred.
• Collaborate with and provide support to applied research efforts in nursery operations in Mexico and other international locations. Likely to include occasional international travel. Must travel frequently to multiple nursery locations and fruit growing areas. Overnight and extended travel is required at times.
• Actively seek out the latest scientific advancements throughout the nursery industry through participation in various scientific and industry associations.

Accountable to: Director DOTA Applied Research

• Executing the Applied Research plan, and making sure it is in alignment with DOTA Strategic objectives and Grower needs.
• Develop and lead process to set production research priorities for the Nursery department.
• Determine, design, and implement test-plot and on-farm trials to achieve prioritized goals.
• Play an active role in Driscoll’s Regional and Global Applied Research network.
• Collaborate with and provide support to Applied Research efforts in nursery operations in Mexico and other international locations

Accountable to: Both

• Ensure cross functional alignment (DOTA Nursery X DOTA Production), as it pertains to Applied Research.

• This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by employees in this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all the job's responsibilities. At Driscoll’s, all of our jobs include broad responsibilities for continually improving the processes we use to develop our products.
• Follows company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc.
• Ensures the security of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.

Job Qualifications:

• Minimum Master Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture or closely related field, and experience in agricultural - related research. Doctorate degree and related experience is preferred.
• Experience with writing, communicating and implementing research protocols for diverse audiences. High level expertise and ability to gather, analyze, and report data collected; must have high level statistical analysis expertise.
• Experience with implementation of experimental designs that are both logistically practical and statistically valid.
• Experience with statistical analysis software (JMP, SAS, R, or similar).
• Background in farming, or experience in commercial plant propagation.
• Experience with direct leadership and management of people is required; must possess experience of successfully managing and motivating employees, and building effective teams and developing employees.
• Strong scientific and analytical skills, especially as they relate to Nursery crops and applied research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to work with key internal stakeholders and manage multiple projects across the enterprise.
• Ability to work with external stakeholders, particularly strategic Nursery partners and third party Nursery contractors.
• Courageous, creative and conceptual thinker with practical planning skills.
• Adept at process management, including the ability to be decisive with a proven ability to recognize and act on good ideas.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English is preferred.
• Must be able to work an extended schedule to support operational requirements.
• Travel is required (up to 40% domestic and international). Must have a valid CA driver license and maintain eligibility for Company vehicle insurance.
• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions are also required.

About the Company:

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 fresh, beautiful and delicious berries.  Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll’s exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll’s is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries ™.

Applications

Please apply online at: https://ssl1.peoplexs.com/Peoplexs22/CandidatesPortalNoLogin/Vacancy.cfm?PortalID=15169&VacatureID=906317

For additional information, please contact. Tyler.Johansen@driscolls.com

This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by employees in this job.  It is not an exhaustive list of all the job’s responsibilities.  At Driscoll’s, all of our jobs include broad responsibilities for continually improving processes we use to develop our products.