R&D Manager
At Hort Innovation we are all about building a prosperous and sustainable future for Australia’s horticulture industry.
We invest millions of dollars into research & development, marketing, adoption, data and international trade initiatives.
Our team is passionate about Australian horticulture and innovation. We prioritise partnerships that deliver real impact and change on farm and beyond the farm gate.
Our company values underpin the culture of Hort Innovation and play an important role in defining the behaviours we collectively strive for. Please take a moment to watch the video featuring our people sharing their insights on our company values.
About the role
This role of the Research & Development (R&D) Manager is to manage a suite of Hort Innovation R&D (and extension) investments in a cross-discipline portfolio, primarily focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aiming to:
- Better understand the causes and consequences of pests (insects, diseases, and weeds) on horticulture crops
- Support the horticulture industry in implementing sustainable IPM strategies with a focus on tools and technologies for applied solutions
- Ideate and develop research opportunities that will meet industry strategic investment priorities
- Improve research outcomes by ensuring impact pathways are mapped and partnerships are developed across commodities and countries
- Work collaboratively with Australian horticulture, Research and Development Corporations, Government, and research providers such as universities to facilitate and coordinate cross sectoral programs
- Develop research investments inclusive of scoping, tendering, contracting, evaluating, and reporting on research projects and facilitating linkages to extension programs.
The R&D Manager contributes to the achievement of the Hort Innovation Strategic Plan and Industry Strategic Investment Plans, through management of the R&D portfolio, to ensure delivery of world-class, high impact R&D across the Australian horticultural industry. Hort Innovation’s Biosecurity R&D team is committed to transformational research focusing on biosecurity, food safety, pest management and crop protection solutions.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to Hort Innovation’s RD&E portfolio on IPM and biosecurity.
- Drive R&D investments to deliver new knowledge, tools and skills for Australian horticultural industries that address priority issues, and which are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.
- Manage R&D investments throughout the project lifecycle, from scoping and tendering through to delivery of final reports.
- Develop appropriate extension strategies and monitoring and evaluation for all investments.
- Identify opportunities for cross-sectoral, horticulture, and multi-industry R&D investments.
- Ensure R&D investments are designed and managed to deliver benefits to growers and industry.
- Manage accountability for best practice project management, with consideration to managing foreseeable risks and costs.
- Manage project-related Intellectual Property (IP) during the project lifecycle to ensure IP is documented and IP provisions in the Research Agreement align with Hort Innovation IP policy.
- Contribute to R&D initiatives and continuous improvement across the business.
- Support the Head of Biosecurity R&D to engage with industry and government directly to resolve issues and communicate outcomes in IPM.
- Work collaboratively with and coordinate the involvement of Hort Innovation personnel, including relevant Investment Managers, Industry Service Managers, Production & Sustainability R&D, Data & Insights, and Communications personnel, to meet the strategic objectives of the Hort Innovation strategic plan focus areas, Biosecurity team performance objectives, and stakeholder expectations.
Education and experience
- Tertiary qualifications (Bachelor level or equivalent) in Agriculture or Science with relevant industry experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of the principles and application of R&D in Agricultural production systems.
- Strong subject matter expertise in IPM, preferably with a relevant R&D background in either plant pathology, entomology, molecular biology, or other similar disciplines, and awareness of current research tools and trends.
- Extensive project management experience.
- Highly proactive and resourceful self-starter.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated problem solving skills.
- Knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) frameworks and the impact pathway of agricultural R&D.
- High level of oral and written communication ability.
- Understanding commercialisation and implementation of research outcomes
What you’ll get
- Competitive salary
- Hybrid work environment
- Salary sacrificing
- One extra leave day between Christmas and New Year
- Seasonal vaccinations
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Reward and recognition program
- Wellbeing focus including free access to an Employee Assistance Program plus other tools and resources
- A highly motivated and fun team
Fixed term contract
12-month fixed term contract
How to apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter, telling us why you want to join the Hort Innovation team, via Seek.
We are open to candidates in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Hort Innovation is an equal opportunity employer, all applicants will be considered regardless of their race, sexuality, religion, colour, gender identity or parental status. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.
