Agronomy Manager

About Keelings

Keelings is a fully Irish-owned family enterprise specializing in fresh produce. Operating throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, it cultivates, sources, and delivers premium quality fruits and vegetables. The company's achievements are anchored in innovation, sustainability initiatives, robust partnerships, and a committed workforce.

Role Overview

This position entails developing and executing crop management plans emphasizing quality parameters such as soil and plant health. The role involves crop surveillance and investigative research aligned with Keelings' productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability objectives. Serving as the agronomic authority across farms, the incumbent will constructively challenge cultivators to adhere to best practices, crop protection standards, and quality benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strategic crop management programmes to maximize soft fruit yield, quality, and uniformity through collaboration with growers.
• Utilize data analysis and field observations to monitor crop performance and refine strategies proactively.
• Work with breeding and nursery partners to source superior plant materials matching production targets.
• Ensure all crop initiatives support company goals on quality, sustainability, profitability, and the Better Food, Better World mission.
• Manage planning and procurement of crop inputs in coordination with procurement teams, focusing on quality, cost efficiency, and timeliness.
• Lead and develop a skilled agronomy team that supports growers at multiple locations.
• Maintain operational focus on current crops to optimize plant vitality and fruit quality up to harvest, minimizing losses from abnormalities or diseases.
• Prioritize and manage agronomy tasks including monitoring, reporting, advisory duties, and collaboration with external experts to identify pest and disease threats.
• Implement crop and substrate sampling systems along with accurate, timely health and intervention reporting.
• Offer expert advice on crop nutrition, irrigation, and protection tailored to crop development and conditions.
• Create and oversee crop protection programmes ensuring compliance and effective pest and disease management.
• Support production forecasting with flower and berry counts to anticipate yields and peak harvesting periods, facilitating labor and market planning.

Required Expertise and Qualifications

• Substantial experience with soft fruit cultivation such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries; knowledge of top fruit is advantageous.
• Proficiency in irrigation, fertigation, and substrate cultivation systems.
• Expert knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and crop protection techniques.
• Understanding of EU regulations including pesticide policies and certifications like GLOBALG.A.P.
• Experience utilizing data-driven agronomy and crop monitoring tools.
• Proven leadership in managing farm operations and agronomy teams.
• Commercial insight to optimize yield, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Experience in senior-level crop management roles.
• Project management credentials; Prince2 or PMBOK certifications are a plus.
• Excellent communication, administration, and planning capabilities.
• Fluent English communication skills in both written and spoken forms.
• Valid full driving license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic background in Entomology.
• Certification as a qualified pesticide advisor.

Behavioural Competencies

• Result-oriented focus to achieve objectives.
• Leadership qualities to set direction and inspire.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Accountability and responsible conduct.

Benefits

• Employee discounts at Keelings Farm Shop and subsidized cafeteria meals.
• Complimentary on-site parking with electric vehicle charging stations.
• Wellness initiatives including dedicated wellness weeks.

Company Values and Inclusion

• Emphasis on people as the core asset.
• Commitment to teamwork.
• Integrity in all business dealings.
• Passion for achieving success.

Keelings is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce where all perspectives are valued, fostering belonging and equity. Applicants from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Assistance or accommodations for the recruitment process can be requested via email.