Position Title: Seed & Variety Operations Lead

Requisition ID:29232
Summary of Position

The Seed and Variety Operations Lead is responsible for the development of McCain's North America seed pipeline, managing seed inventory, building relationships, contracting with our seed grower partners, and creating new variety business cases. The incumbent will work with regional seed growers, McCain internal stakeholders and transportation organizations to monitor seed inventory and chain of custody for new variety adoption with McCain proprietary varieties.
Ideal candidates will have natural leadership talent with the ability to leverage potato production and inventory knowledge into proven results for McCain and our growers. The Lead position can be based in one of McCain Foods Canada or USA operation areas or one of our major seed-growing regions, reporting directly to the Director of Seed & Variety. The Lead will manage a team of Seed and Variety Representatives.
Essential Responsibilities include the following:

Potato Production and Extension Management

• Develop and maintain a network of seed growers within assigned regions to enable ramp up and delivery of new varieties to process growers as per McCain's 6-year plans.
• Mentor Seed & Variety Representatives and lead contracting and seed grower relationships in assigned regions.
• Lead the execution of the seed plans with volume planning and inventory tracking from tissue culture to the commercial grower.
• Assist in coordinating transportation of seed within and between regions as needed.
• Maintain accountability of plans to targeted objectives.
• Support Seed Agronomist on Grower Improvement Plans (GIP) aimed at improving yield and quality through data collection, trialing, focused extension support, and reporting.
• Assist the Seed Agronomist with maintaining quality standards through winter grow outs and follow-up visits after planting.
• Advocate for new varieties by understanding the advantages they offer and matching the right seed source and farm so the value of the variety can be captured.
• Oversee and create new variety businesses cases for regions of responsibility in collaboration with McCain Seed team.
• Participate in plant scale trials by connecting field and storage variety characteristics and performance with processing quality and production.
• Develop seed supply strategy in cooperation with Seed Agronomist and Director of Seed & Variety to satisfy business needs, driving for continuous improvement in seed quality and performance.
• Primary liaison between North America Commercial Directors & regional field departments and the McCain seed team.

• Champion safe operations and behaviors in work every day with McCain employees and with our growers.

Professional Development

• Engage in continuous learning opportunities to develop skills and knowledge of potato production.
• Be an engaged and energetic team member supporting fellow Agriculture team members and company objectives.
• Build the vision for an expanding team and business within the company.
• Be the face of McCain Agriculture: Represent McCain Foods as a leader in the potato industry.

Qualifications

• Emphasis on strong practical experience in full cycle/generation seed potato production is critical, including storage.
• Must have a strong ability to connect and communicate with seed growers.
• A minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural science or ag business.
• Must have strong soft skills, capable of leading people and projects effectively.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal daily direction and keep others on track with objectives; time management and prioritization are key skills.
• This position is most suited to an individual who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has the desire and ability to contribute and grow within the McCain Foods North America organization.
• Experience mentoring and/or managing a team of individuals.
• A strong bias towards workplace safety both for McCain employees and our grower partners.
• Ability to travel cross border throughout North America (up to 50% travel).

Certificates, Licenses, Registration Requirements:

• Valid driver's license

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The health and safety of McCain employees and their families has been our number one priority since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccination restrictions easing across the globe we do not currently require employees to be vaccinated, but we reserve the right to change this mandate in line with health guidance and regulations in each country.

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Job Family:Agriculture
Division:NA Ag Strategy
Department: New Variety Development NA
Location(s): US - United States of America : Idaho : Boise || US - United States of America : Colorado : Denver || US - United States of America : Idaho : Burley || US - United States of America : Maine : Easton || US - United States of America : Maine : Presque Isle || US - United States of America : Michigan : Armada || US - United States of America : Michigan : Brownstown || US - United States of America : Michigan : Detroit || US - United States of America : Michigan : Highland Park || US - United States of America : Michigan : Imlay City || US - United States of America : Michigan : Livonia || US - United States of America : Michigan : Newark || US - United States of America : Michigan : Port Huron || US - United States of America : Michigan : Sterling Heights || US - United States of America : Michigan : Warren || US - United States of America : Washington : Othello || US - United States of America : Washington : Seattle || US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Plover

Company:McCain Foods USA, Inc.