Job Description
Job Description:
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the crop science team and the business unit to achieve the company's goals. The job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Crop Science:
- Lead the research and development of new crop varieties, improve crop productivity, and explore new crop development opportunities.
- Prepare work plans, planting programs, and budgets for crop science activities, including field trials, seed production, and organic farming activities.
- Manage the design and implementation of breeding nurseries, trials, and validation, and seed production fields.
- Provide technical guidance for data collection, analysis, and project evaluation.
- Develop and implement a production guide for crops in the profile of the organization such as maize, soybean, rice, cowpea, yam, and cassava.
- Conduct field trials to assess germplasm for genetic diversity and characterization of germplasm for tolerance to stresses.
- Identify desirable traits for seed improvement through genetic variation.
- Advance knowledge of plant breeding techniques.
- Develop stress-tolerant maize, soybean, cowpea, and rice varieties.
- Select parent lines for crossbreeding.
- Liaison with research institutes for varietal release process.
- Liaison with commercial plant breeders, scientists, and funding bodies.
- Monitor competitors' activities and set product profiles in the market.
- Supervise the establishment of demos and high-way seed drops.
- Prepare technical reports and publications.
Business Unit Head:
- Develop and implement strategies to achieve the company's business goals.
- Develop and implement annual budgets and financial plans for the business unit.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities in the seed sector.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies.
- Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for growth.
- Develop and implement marketing strategies for the company's products and services.
- Lead and motivate the business unit team to achieve their targets.
- Prepare reports on the business unit's performance for the management team.
Qualifications:
- A PhD in crop science with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, or an MSc in crop science with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.
- Excellent knowledge of crop science, breeding, and agronomy.
- Strong leadership skills and ability to motivate teams.
- Good business acumen and understanding of the seed sector.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent computer skills.