Research Trial Officer (M/F)

Job description

Position description

Employment Type

Regular Full Time

Contractual hours

Full-time

Function

RESEARCH & INNOVATION - RESEARCH OPERATIONS

Main Goal

Job Purpose:
To align with the company's business strategy, the Trial Officer will engage in the research and development of innovative and competitive varieties within target market segments. This includes identifying suitable producer partners, planning, organizing, actively participating, overseeing all activities of external tests in various production regions, and supporting the product research cycle.

Job Description:

The Trial Officer plays a role in the research and development chain of new varieties by managing seed allocation to external partner producers and ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of external testing processes at the Research Station.

Supporting Product Planning, Research, and Development:
·       Planning and preparation of seeds/samples, sowing lists, field plots, plot identification, and agreement with local producers and partners/suppliers in accordance with planting priorities.
·       Managing seed allocation for external tests, ensuring proper matching with partner producers.
·       Maintaining accurate inventory of seed stock, recording sample distribution, and disposing of obsolete seeds at appropriate intervals under management approval.
·       Preparing seed batches for sowing in collaboration with the local genetics team, prioritizing based on planting schedules developed by the genetics team.
·       Establishing Strategic External Testing Plans with producers before the start of production seasons.

Job description

Execution and Evaluation of Tests

·       Design implemented test layouts and distributed test sketches to research and development teams to facilitate navigation and evaluation. Cultivate direct relationships with producers.

·       Supervise test progress throughout their growth cycles, conducting maturity assessments and coordinating with Breeding, Development, and Sales Teams for joint evaluations.

·       Utilize standardized forms for test evaluations, assessing commercial potential, competitiveness, and adaptability of varieties.

·       Document and store test evaluations in a database for the Breeding Teams, including photographs to illustrate variety performance.

·       Responsible for traveling to locations/areas/regions where trials will be deployed, assuming responsibility for seeding and transplanting within planned deadlines.

 

Reports and Strategy Development:

·       Organize end-of-cycle review meetings with breeding teams to review and discuss matters related to external experimentation. The Research Manager may participate.

·       Compile end-of-season reports summarizing the performance of each variety, competitive advantages, challenges, optimal planting periods, and other pertinent details.

·       Participate in review meetings with related teams and management to discuss seasonal results, variety performance, propose advancements, and budgetary issues with the manager.

·       Develop a comprehensive understanding of the seed market for the company's key crops.

 

Additional Responsibilities:

·       Participate in Research Operations meetings to align with ongoing research activities, when necessary.

·       Conduct visits to customers and cultivation sites, utilizing company fleet vehicles for transportation.

·       At the Research Station, participate in activities and training of local programs, promoting support and concise participation in internal work and activities, alongside breeding and operations teams. Internal work will be conducted when not dedicated to external tasks.

·       Promote personal safety and equally contribute to the safety of colleagues by actively participating in internal safety code requirements and management safety visits.

·       Internally, participate in training, enhancement courses, and updates related to genetic improvement areas, statistics, agricultural experimentation, plant mineral nutrition, phytopathology, safety, health, and environment.

·       Assist the Plant Pathologist in collecting materials with diseases in the field.

Skills: what we expect of you

Skills:
To successfully perform this job, the employee must be able to fulfill each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

§  Critical Thinking and Analysis: Ability to think critically, conceptually, and analytically.

§  Technical Skills: Exceptional analytical skills; ability to apply influence and drive effective decision-making. Technical knowledge of agriculture and the seed business, knowledge of the market and customers, knowledge of local regulations (registration, protection), and legislation.

§  Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communicator and with good external relationships. Practices a service-oriented business partnership approach and excels in building relationships throughout the organization. Ability to foster professional relationships with all clients, organized, and able to prioritize.

§  Teamwork: Positive team member attitude. Ability to facilitate teamwork among colleagues as well as with other groups throughout the organization. Ability to build trust with all functional areas within the organization.

§  Accountability: Displays solid and accurate accountability. Responsible for decisions made within the scope of responsibility, focusing on meeting short and long-term goals and objectives. Must have effective time management skills.

§  Professionalism: Highly motivated individual, possessing strong organizational skills. Results-oriented. Deadline-focused and motivated. They have a high level of integrity, with the ability to maintain confidentiality.

§  Adaptability: Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events. Comfortable with a fast-paced and challenging environment. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work. Willing to travel as needed.

§  Service/Punctuality: Ensures that job responsibilities are completed in a timely manner.

§  Reliability: Self-directed individual with the ability to work independently as well as within a group, meticulously.

Academic Background:
·       Bachelor's degree in Agronomy or related field.

·       Valid driver's license.

·       Intermediate proficiency in English is required.

Professional Experience:
§  3 to 5 years of experience in similar roles, with preference for candidates who have worked in multinational companies.

Miscellaneous:
·       Local Manager: Research Station Project Manager.
·       Functional Manager: Research Station Project Manager.
·       Status: Full-time employee, in accordance with the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT).
·       Internal Relations: All Vilmorin-Mikado Brasil employees and employees from other subsidiaries. Administrative Departments, Sales, Product Development, Research Station, employees from other Business Units.
·       External Relations: Producers, nurseries, competing companies, suppliers, third

Your benefits and working environment

Psychological Demands:
·       Many short and long trips throughout the year, with emphasis on periods of external experimentation according to the test implementation schedule.

Physical Demands:
·       When performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms.

·       Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

·       The employee is occasionally required to balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

·       The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to [weight].

·       When performing the duties of this job, the employee will drive cars, among other equipment.

·       This position will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

·       The employee may need to walk on uneven terrain, work near equipment or machinery, and may be exposed to vibrations or constant movements. The typical noise level in this work environment is high. For any mentioned exposure, the employee will be required to use personal protective equipment as per the work order dispatched by the safety area or the company's responsible party.

 

Recruitment process

Several interviews with managers, Human Resources and members of the Research and Development team.

Company

VILMORIN-MIKADO

Position localization

Job location

America/Carribean, Brazil

Location

Holambra

Candidate criteria

Minimum level of education required

Bachelor's degree

Minimum level of experience required

3 years or more

Languages

·  English (3 - Professional)
·  Portuguese (3 - Professional)

Requester

Position start date

15/03/2024