• Leadership Position
• Agronomy Focus
• Geelong region based

Southern Farming Systems (SFS) is a farmer driven, not-for-profit organisation operating in Southern Victoria, with origins in helping farmers in this Higher Rainfall Zone increase profitability through research, development and provision of information to overcome production constraints specific to their region and farming systems. As its business continues to develop and respond to the needs of its members, sponsors and the agronomy support sector in the region, SFS is looking to build stronger technical relationships with industry, further develop its R&D services and initiate and manage major industry and RDC-supported projects.

As Research Manager, your role will have three core functions;

1. The strategic development of the technical and research portfolio of the business, working closely with the CEO to ensure the organisation maintains its responsiveness to members’ needs and its leadership position in the research and development of solutions and agronomic systems for HRZ farmers.

2. The supervision and management of the day to day activities of technical staff responsible for managing and maintaining trial sites and other research and extension activities.

3. The development and management of relationships with industry sponsors, commercial agronomists/consultants and R&D organisations and funding agencies, with the aim of positioning SFS as a key partner within their respective R&D Programs and activities.

To be successful in this role, you will need to be an open and clear communicator and have the proven ability to adapt your communication style to different audiences. As the role has both a field research and agronomic management component, candidates with experiences in either field will be well regarded, with candidates with experience in both fields highly desirable. Whilst this is a technically focussed role, your ability to understand commercial agribusiness and the drivers of R&D activities across the agribusiness sector will be critical to your success.

If this is you or someone you know, please contact Nigel Crawley on 03 9645 5200 to discuss further or please submit your resume online.