Agronomy Manager

About Keelings

Keelings is a wholly Irish-owned family enterprise dedicated to providing fresh produce. With operations throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, the company cultivates, sources, and distributes high-quality fruits and vegetables. They attribute their ongoing success to innovation, sustainability, solid partnerships, and a committed workforce.

Role Overview

This role entails designing and executing crop management strategies with an emphasis on quality, soil vitality, and plant health programs. Responsibilities include crop monitoring and investigative research resulting in initiatives that support the company’s goals for productivity, profitability, and environmental care. The position acts as a technical authority across farms, ensuring growers adhere to optimal agronomic practices, crop protection protocols, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic crop programs with growers to maximize yields, quality, and uniformity in soft fruit production.
• Utilize crop performance data and field insights to refine strategies proactively.
• Collaborate with breeding and nursery suppliers to obtain superior plant materials aligned with production goals.
• Ensure all crop initiatives align with company priorities regarding quality, sustainability, profitability, and the "Better Food, Better World" mission.
• Manage crop input planning and procurement, focusing on quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery in conjunction with procurement teams.
• Lead and cultivate a talented agronomy team supporting growers across multiple locations.
• Maintain operational agronomy ensuring plant health and fruit quality are optimized through to harvest while minimizing waste such as misshapen or diseased fruit.
• Set priorities and coordinate crop monitoring, reporting, and advisory services, working with external experts to address emerging pest and disease threats.
• Implement effective crop and substrate sampling programs.
• Provide accurate and prompt reports concerning crop health, risks, and agronomic actions.
• Offer expert advice on crop nutrition, irrigation, and protection, tailored to growth stage and environmental conditions.
• Develop and execute crop protection programs ensuring pest and disease control with full regulatory compliance.
• Support production planning through precise crop forecasting including flower and berry counts, facilitating labor, harvest, and market supply management.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

• Proven background in soft fruit crop production such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, with top fruit experience being advantageous.
• Comprehensive understanding of irrigation, fertigation, and substrate-based cultivation systems.
• Expertise in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and crop protection methods.
• Knowledge of European Union regulations including pesticide usage and certification frameworks like GLOBALG.A.P.
• Experience with data-driven crop monitoring and agronomy systems.
• Strong leadership qualities and farm operations management experience.
• Commercial acumen balancing yield, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Previous senior-level crop management experience.
• Project management certification; qualifications such as Prince 2 or PMBOK are advantageous.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and planning abilities.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Possession of a full driving license.

Desirable Qualifications

• Entomology qualification.
• Certified pesticide advisor.

Behavioural Competencies

• Results-oriented mindset.
• Leadership initiative.
• Collaborative teamwork.
• Accountability and responsibility.

Benefits

• Employee discounts at Keelings Farm Shop and subsidized canteen access.
• Complimentary on-site parking including electric vehicle chargers.
• Wellness programs like dedicated wellness weeks.

Values and Inclusion

• Keelings champions people, teamwork, integrity, and achievement passion.
• They embrace diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from varied backgrounds and cultures to cultivate a sense of belonging.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants requiring accommodations during recruitment can request support by contacting the recruitment email.

Recruitment Process

• Submission of CV and acknowledgment of receipt via email.
• Initial telephone screening.
• First interview round.
• Second interview round.
• Final outcome and feedback.