Variety Development Manager - Blueberry, Northern EMEA

Location: UK - Maidstone

Job Family: Research & Development

Time Type: Full time

Job Requisition ID: R0007859

Experience Years: 5-10 Years of Experience

Employee Type: Regular

Remote Type: Onsite

About The Opportunity

The Variety Development Manager for Northern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is an integral part of Driscoll's Global Breeding Team in EMEA and required to work cross-functionally with regional Research Farm Managers, Applied Researchers, Product Leaders, Nursery Managers and District Operations Personnel and drive the identification, promotion, optimization, and commercialization of new improved raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry cultivars. Additionally, this position will serve as the primary representative for Driscoll's blueberry breeding variety development activities throughout EMEA.

Variety development activities will improve upon the region's commercial portfolio of proprietary varieties through a focus on specific characteristics, such as yield, fruit size, shape, flavor, and shelf life. These efforts will require proficiency in the principles of plant breeding and a substantial knowledge of plant physiology and agronomy. The successful candidate will operate under the direction of the Variety Development Lead, EMEA with close consultation from the Global Blueberry Breeding Director and North American breeding programs to ensure a strong pipeline of breeding selections is evaluated under the right trial conditions for successful advancement towards commercial applications in EMEA.

Additionally, the Variety Development Manager, Blueberry, Northern EMEA is a member of the EMEA Variety Development Team who span several production regions across EMEA and work together to coordinate breeding nursery orders, test plot trials, and deployment efforts for each of their primary crops. The position requires superb verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to link cross-functional teams throughout the organization. The position also requires broad industry knowledge including awareness and understanding of competitors, potential of the global genetic pipeline, cultural systems and solid understanding of grower economic drivers and farming economics. Moderately high level of international travel (20%) is compulsory to carry out duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Form strategic alliance with test plot managers to develop novel berry cultivars that are adapted to the Northern EMEA growing regions, superior for target traits, stable in performance, and meet customer, consumer, and grower requirements.
• Work closely with the Variety Development Lead, EMEA Product Leaders, and business partners to understand key elements of the EMEA business strategy.
• Assess breeding selections against strategic trait thresholds, and develop a close relationship with the Blueberry Product Leader to ensure advancement of selections that meet or exceed the EMEA business needs.
• Under the mentorship of the Variety Development Lead, maintain close working relationships with the other Variety Development Managers in EMEA. With this team, build an intimate knowledge of blueberry variety development and deployment efforts throughout EMEA, aligning and influencing trials and decisions to generate commercial successes.
• Work closely with the Variety Development Lead and Global Deployment Manager to build awareness of the breeding pipeline to the Local Berry Team and broader EMEA business. Communicate programmatic activities and updates throughout the business via webinars, field tours, and weekly test plot reports.
• Create visibility and excitement around promising new breeding selections at the district level and within the grower community. Build strong collaborative relationships with aligned growers.
• Adhere to the N. EMEA variety development budget, including regular justification of routine operational spending.
• Implement breeding-related research activities as directed by the Global Breeding Director that improve the process of selection. Work closely with Global Breeding to develop plans, processes, and protocols that address the needs of the selection program.
• Provide feedback to Global Breeding on program direction, target environment, production systems, program strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.
• Recommend adjustments to improve program performance and alignment in EMEA.
• Coordinate research and breeding activities with associated departments to achieve program goals and objectives: nursery, operations, agronomy, applied research, plant pathology, molecular genetics, entomology.
• Oversee plant orders and logistics N. EMEA variety development. Manage the EMEA blueberry breeding nursery flow chart to secure plant material 2-3 years in advance.
• Responsible for trial design and coordination with test plot farming logistics/budget.
• Provide guidance for test plot and postharvest staff for daily activities and priorities. Review standard operating protocols with test plot manager, annually. Ensure farming and data collection are implemented adequately in alignment with trial objectives.
• Conduct independent evaluations of breeding selections and varieties for horticultural characteristics, encompassing field ratings, yield, shelf life, and flavor in all berries. Develop an intimate awareness of each selection relative to commercialization thresholds to make appropriate decisions.
• Coordinate with Driscoll's Sensory and Marketing groups to assess consumer perception and market potential of new varieties, as directed.
• Develop and publish production guides and advanced genetics slides, as required.
• Make recommendations of selections to Applied Research Discovery trials and On Farm Trials to the Local Berry Teams. Participate in these teams to provide input on performance, decisions, and recommendations to the team.
• Assist where required with the collection of data for Intellectual Property Rights.
• Prepare end-of-season summary reports and contribute to Global Breeding Webinars.
• Participate in regular Global Breeding team meetings, providing updates on variety performance and other significant updates from the EMEA region.
• Promote and participate in the global knowledge transfer around Driscoll's varieties.
• Regularly visit other geographies, including the U.K., Portugal, Morocco, S. Africa, the U.S., China, Mexico, and Australia.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Plant Science, Agronomy or related field, master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience working in the berry/horticultural industry.
• Demonstrated experience in soft fruit production and farming practices is an added advantage.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate a high level of organizational and reporting skills with great attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Must display initiative, have the ability to set and meet deadlines and create alignments between stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to link cross functional teams throughout the organization.
• Possess technical writing abilities to develop and document standard operating procedures (SOP) and best management practices (BMP), hold seminars and give presentations for a wide variety of audiences (peers, growers, business stakeholders, retailers).
• Must be able to maintain a valid Driver's License with the ability to be insured under company sponsored liability.
• Must have valid passport and the ability to travel internationally.

About Driscolls

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.