Banana Agronomist

Premierfresh; Innisfail; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Fresh Australia is seeking an experienced Agronomist to provide technical leadership across its banana farming operation in Queensland, based in Innisfail. The role reports to the General Manager Farming & Operations QLD and focuses on strategies to optimise productivity, fruit quality, sustainability and profitability.

The successful candidate will lead agronomic programs across crop nutrition, irrigation, soil health, plant physiology, IPM and field trials, while building capability

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy/Plant Science or related discipline.
• At least 6 years of commercial agronomy experience, ideally in banana production or intensive horticultural cropping.
• Strong knowledge of crop nutrition, plant physiology, irrigation and fertigation management.
• Extensive experience with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and crop protection programs.
• Strong analytical capability and experience interpreting agronomic and production data.
• Experience designing and conducting field trials and evaluating new technologies.
• Ability to influence operational teams and translate technical recommendations into practical outcomes.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and coaching skills.
• Commercial mindset with understanding of production efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation and modern farming practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement agronomic strategies that maximise yield, fruit quality, sustainability and profitability.
• Lead crop nutrition, fertiliser, irrigation and fertigation programs across banana production systems.
• Interpret soil, leaf and water analysis to optimise crop performance and resource efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership across plant nutrition, soil health, irrigation management and plant physiology.
• Develop and support IPM, biosecurity and crop protection programs.
• Monitor production performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, quality and profitability.
• Analyse production, quality and yield data to support forecasting, planning and decision making.
• Lead field trials, research projects and evaluation of new technologies.
• Partner with universities, researchers, industry bodies and suppliers to bring innovation into the business.
• Provide technical coaching, mentoring and capability development for Growers, Farm Managers and emerging leaders.
• Support development of SOPs and agronomic best practice across sites.
• Drive a strong culture of safety, quality, food safety and environmental stewardship.

Skills

Communication & coaching

Analytical ability

Stakeholder management

Commercial mindset

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree or Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy/Plant Science

Job description

Premier Fresh Australia is one of Australia’s leading fresh produce supply chain companies, delivering high-quality fruit and vegetables to customers both locally and internationally. With a strong focus on excellence, innovation and collaboration, we’re proud to offer a workplace that values and supports its people.

You don’t need to meet every requirement – if you’re a good fit, passionate about agriculture and eager to grow, we want to hear from you.

As we continue to invest in our farming operations, we are seeking an experienced Agronomist to provide technical leadership across our banana farming business in Queensland.

Job Description

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager Farming & Operations QLD, the Agronomist will provide specialist agronomic expertise across Premier Fresh Australia's banana operations, developing and implementing strategies that optimise productivity, fruit quality, sustainability and profitability.

This role plays a critical part in supporting evidence-based decision making across crop nutrition, irrigation, soil health, plant physiology, pest and disease management, research and innovation. Working closely with Farm Managers, Growers and operational teams, you will help drive best-practice farming systems while building technical capability across the business.

The position can be based in Innisfail, Queensland, with involvement across broader banana farming operations

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop and implement agronomic strategies that maximise yield, fruit quality, sustainability and profitability.
• Lead crop nutrition, fertiliser, irrigation and fertigation programs across banana production systems.
• Interpret soil, leaf and water analysis to optimise crop performance and resource efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership across plant nutrition, soil health, irrigation management and plant physiology.
• Develop and support integrated pest management (IPM), biosecurity and crop protection programs.
• Monitor production performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, quality and profitability.
• Analyse production, quality and yield data to support forecasting, planning and decision making.
• Lead field trials, research projects and the evaluation of new technologies, products and farming practices.
• Partner with universities, researchers, industry bodies and suppliers to bring innovation into the business.
• Provide technical coaching, mentoring and capability development for Growers, Farm Managers and emerging leaders.
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures and agronomic best practice across sites.
• Drive a strong culture of safety, quality, food safety and environmental stewardship.

Desired Skills and Experience

What We're Looking For

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A Degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science or a related discipline.
• At least 6 years' commercial agronomy experience, ideally within banana production or intensive horticultural cropping systems.
• Strong knowledge of crop nutrition, plant physiology, irrigation and fertigation management.
• Extensive experience with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and crop protection programs.
• Strong analytical capability and experience interpreting agronomic and production data.
• Experience designing and conducting field trials and evaluating new technologies.
• The ability to influence operational teams and translate technical recommendations into practical outcomes.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and coaching skills.
• A commercial mindset with an understanding of production efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
• A passion for continuous improvement, innovation and modern farming practice

Why Join Us?

• Play a key technical leadership role in a leading Australian fresh produce business.
• Influence the future direction and performance of Premier Fresh Australia's banana operations.
• Lead research, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside experienced farming, operational and executive leadership teams.
• Partner with industry experts, research organisations and leading agricultural suppliers.
• Contribute to sustainable farming practices and long-term productivity improvements.
• Join a collaborative business that values expertise, innovation and people development.