The Company
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is responsible for planning, investing, and overseeing research, development, and extension for the grains sector in Australia. They meet the evolving needs of grain growers with a vision to be regarded as the grower’s “RD&E department.” GRDC believes it should be a valued grower asset that is open, transparent, and trusted - a true partner who seeks to be agile and business like in their operations and improve productivity and profitability for growers.
The Opportunity
GRDC is seeking a Manager - National Variety Trial – Operations, Partnerships, & Strategy ,
a key role supporting the world renowned NVT program.
The National Variety Trials (NVT) program is one of GRDC’s highest profile projects. Established in 2005 it is solely managed and funded by GRDC on behalf of Australian grain growers. Since inception, the NVT program has expanded to become the largest coordinated variety trial network in the world with 9 out of 10 Australian grain growers using NVT information. The program assists Australian grain growers and their advisors in varietal decision making by providing information on commercially available grain varieties, including comparisons of yield performance, disease resistance and grain quality.
An exceptional opportunity to work in a collaborative and passionate team by working closely across GRDC and externally to help shape the NVT program. You will be responsible for the ongoing success and evolution of the NVT by overseeing several key national components of the program as listed in the PD.
The team has a flexible mindset, and your specific responsibilities will be dependent on your expertise, experience, and interests you bring to the GRDC. The successful candidate will work within the NVT national team alongside 3 established and experienced managers delivering a wide range of responsibilities.
- NVT systems management: responsible for all aspects of NVT's Systems
- NVT collaborative partnerships management: responsible for administration of all elements of NVT partnerships to increase the benefit the NVT delivers for the Australian grains industry
- NVT strategy and innovation management: responsible for NVT strategy and innovation for the continuous improvement of the program
- NVT breeder operations management: responsible for managing all aspects of NVT’s breeder focussed operations
GRDC seeks candidates that have capability and experience across ideally two or more of the following disciplines as follows:
- IT Systems Management – Management and continuous improvement of digital platforms, databases and reporting systems to support efficient program delivery and stakeholder engagement.
- Pest & Disease Pathology Ratings – Oversight or delivery of pest and disease pathology programs.
- Stakeholder Management – Relationship management of a wide range of stakeholders including grower groups, agri-political groups, industry bodies, breeding.
- Trial Operations Management – Management, development, and improvement of trial and seed production programs.
- Analytics Management – Analytics, statistical innovation, and reporting to drive data-driven decision making for growers.
- Strategy and Innovation Management – Development and implementation of strategies, policies and improvement initiatives that enhance large program effectiveness and future performance.
- Partnerships Management – Negotiation and management of industry and business partnerships, and commercial agreements that increase value for GRDC, growers, and the broader grains industry.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Experience in contract, project or program management within a relevant industry, with 5+ years' experience highly desirable
- Background in one or more relevant disciplines, such as digital systems and platform management, crop research, plant breeding, statistics and data analytics, trial management, agronomy, stakeholder account management, or project management.
- Ability to manage complex programs, projects or operational activities involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and time-critical deliverables.
- Proficiency in building and maintaining productive relationships with industry participants, service providers, researchers, commercial partners or other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated skill in identifying opportunities for process improvement, innovation and efficiency, and leading initiatives that deliver measurable benefits.
- Agriculture science qualifications
- Experience in grains and pulse trials
- Ability to commercially analyse and assess a R&D project
- Direct experience in either cereals, pulses or oilseeds will be highly regarded
- Demonstrated ability as a genuine team player, willing to work proactively within a dynamic team
- Exceptional project management skills
- Key stakeholder engagement and collaboration with breeders, growers and industry with a commercial focus
- Ability to influence and communicate technical information clearly to diverse audiences
GRDC plays a vital role in the grains sector, and this is a genuine opportunity to participate in the highly regarded NVT program. They aim to assist growers and advisors in varietal decision making and strive to generate credible information that is accurate, consistent, independent, timely and locally relevant.
For confidential enquiries and a copy of the Position Description, please phone Ryan Hoiberg or David Jackson on 1300 380 701 or apply via rimfireresources.com.au.
