Banana Agronomist: Lead Innovation, Yield & Sustainability

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 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