Description
Agronomist
Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen food products for retail and foodservice markets throughout Canada, the United States, and around the world. We have state-of-the-art potato processing plants in Prince Edward Island, Lethbridge, Alberta, and Jamestown, North Dakota, and an appetizer plant in Wheatley, Ontario. Our Head office is in Dieppe, New Brunswick and has sales office locations in Toronto, Montreal, and Boston.
Job Summary
The Agronomist is responsible for all aspects of potato production with Cavendish Farms contract potato growers. This may include assisting with field selection, planting, fertility and crop protection planning, irrigation management, and potato storage management.
Improving and educating on all these aspects will increase operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and ultimately profitability of the company and its growers. The Agronomist will need to be up to date with new innovations, technology, and develop industry contacts and sources that will aid in their line of expertise.
Job Summary
The Agronomist is responsible for all aspects of potato production with Cavendish Farms contract potato growers. This may include assisting with field selection, planting, fertility and crop protection planning, irrigation management, and potato storage management.
Improving and educating on all these aspects will increase operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and ultimately profitability of the company and its growers. The Agronomist will need to be up to date with new innovations, technology, and develop industry contacts and sources that will aid in their line of expertise.
Relationships and Contacts
This position reports to the Raw Procurement Manager. The position requires interaction with Alberta potato growers, production staff, four direct reports, Potato Growers of Alberta, both provincial and federal agriculture services, local grower organizations outside the province of Alberta, private agronomists, and agriculture chemical sales staff.
Major Responsibilties
• Visit growers to maintain strong business relationships. Address any issues they may have, monitor potato storages for quality, and monitor fields.
• Work closely with the Field Superintendent to assess grower issues, potato requirements, and organize potato deliveries.
• Maintain and enhance grower relationships. Participate in Potato Growers of Alberta yearly meeting etc.
• Work closely with the Production staff to determine their needs and to balance the potatoes.
• Report food safety and quality issues to personnel with authority to initiate actions.
• Commitment to Quality System Policy.
• Other duties as assigned.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
• Using or wearing the protective equipment designated by the accident prevention policy.
• Follow safe work procedures, rules, and policies.
• Ensuring employees are not performing work with faulty equipment or in violation of safe work practices.
• Supervising and directing employees when doing hazardous work.
• Ensuring all protective devices and equipment are properly used and maintained.
• Ensuring employees are thoroughly familiar with safe work methods for jobs being performed under their supervision and insisting on their use at all times.
• Developing a proper perspective among their employees toward accident prevention through training and personal example.
• Initiating appropriate action promptly to correct any unsafe situation, condition, tool, equipment, process, or practice that they may be aware of. Initiate all follow-up required to ensure completion.
• Training and instructing new, transferred, or loaned employees with respect to Safety Rules and Procedures in their area, including the issuing of personal protective equipment.
• Ensure that good housekeeping is maintained at all times.
• Enforcing awareness of all Accident Prevention Rules in Provincial Health and Safety legislation.
• Reporting all accidents or injuries to your supervisor immediately.
• Perform applicable food safety duties in the absence of personnel within the Raw department
Food Safety Responsibilities
• Commitment to Quality System Policy
• Enforce quality and food safety programs within the role.
• Communication of food safety issues to related department and action within the role.
• Active participation in food safety, food security, health, sanitation, hygiene, and quality program within the role.
Qualitifications and Abilities
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.
• CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) or eligible for the certification and pesticide application license.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Exposure to a food operating plant environment would be an asset.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage conflict and build teams.
• A proven track record of being pro-active and taking initiative.
Physical Requirements
§ Ability to stand/walk for 8 hours
§ Ability to squat, bend, kneel, reach, twist, use ladders, climb stairs
§ Occasional lifting up to 50lb/ 34kg
§ Occasional carrying up to 50lb/34kg
We appreciate your interest in our company! Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
To learn more about our products and services, click here .
Cavendish Farms Corporation is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment practices and to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment for all employees. #LI-KR1