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 research partner who seeks to be agile and business like in their operations and improve productivity and profitability for growers.
The Opportunity
The Senior Business Manager, Crop Protection and Improvement is a key role within the Crop Protection & Improvement Group of GRDC. Collaborating closely with the General Manager of the group and associate Senior Managers, you will work at the intersection of strategy, investment design, procurement, and organisational capability with a key focus to ensure investment strategies align to GRDC expected outcomes.
A complex and highly commercial role, you will critically analyse upstream opportunities, work with strategic partners (both internal and external) and ensure investment strategy aligns with GRDC expectations. After synthesising complex investments in RD&E focussing on crop protection and crop improvement, you will provide evidenced based advice to the executive. Your ability to decipher complex data through multiple stakeholders and present business cases is a key skill set required.
Your focus and responsibility will also be on task management and quality of not only internal teams, but also externally contracted teams on strategic projects, initiatives and change processes.
Focussed on crop protection and crop improvement within grains, the role involves:
- Strategic initiative leadership and review of investments
- Providing advice on maximising quality and impact of investment strategy
- Investment design, procurement, and governance of complex investment proposals
- Program uplift including organisational design and capability planning through effective program reviews
- Stakeholder engagement of co-dependent internal and external partners
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Exceptional people leadership skills to maximise performance output
- Experience in the agricultural and an awareness of Australia’s RD&E will be seen as highly desirable, including a crop protection history
- Demonstrated experience leading complex strategic initiatives in research, government, or corporate environments
- Commercially astute with a history of business case development, investment interrogation, and major investment proposal preparation
- Advanced analytical experience and capability, including economic and strategic assessment
- Deep understanding of governance, procurement, and risk management frameworks
- High-level stakeholder engagement skills is essential and an ability to work with complex and diverse partners
- Ability to distil complex information into clear executive documentation and strategic advice
- Strong work ethic with a natural approach to work positively with a broader team
- Tertiary qualifications in business, agriculture, management, or related discipline
There is some travel as and when required and you must have a valid Australian Drivers Licence, be in a position to conduct a pre-employment Medical, be an Australian citizenship or at minimum permanent residency, and be prepared to have an attitude to get the job done which at times will require on call/out of hour’s requirement.
In return you will be rewarded with an excellent and dynamic work environment. An opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the future profitability of Australia’s grain industry. You will play a key role to support GRDC’s aim to enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australian grain growers and benefit the industry and wider community.
For confidential enquiries and a copy of the Position Description, please phone David Jackson on 1300 380 701 or apply via rimfireresources.com.au.
