Grower Relations Manager

Perm Recruitment RF/BDT; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) seeks a Grower Relations Manager to strengthen regional engagement with growers, advisers and industry partners while supporting RD&E investments that address grower priorities.

You will travel regionally, manage relationships, assess regional challenges, develop investment proposals and represent GRDC at field days and events to deliver practical outcomes for Australia's grain growers.

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of Australian grains and broadacre cropping systems.
• Experience in agronomy, agricultural research, extension, or industry engagement.
• Strong relationship-building and ability to engage with growers and industry partners.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to varied audiences.
• Experience in project management, documentation and contract oversight.

Responsibilities

• Building relationships with growers, advisers and industry stakeholders.
• Identifying regional challenges and opportunities to inform RD&E investment priorities.
• Developing investment proposals that will lead to meaningful RD&E.
• Representing GRDC at relevant field days, workshops and events.
• Managing RD&E investments, including contracts, budgets and milestones.
• Monitoring investment outcomes and representing GRDC across regional industry networks.

Skills

Grains industry knowledge

Agronomy experience

Stakeholder engagement

Contract management

Project management

Written communication

Analytical skills

Travel willingness

Education

Tertiary qualification in agriculture

Job description

The Company

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research, development and extension (RD&E) for Australia's grains sector. Working closely with growers and industry, GRDC invests in research and extension that improves productivity, profitability and sustainability across Australian grain production systems.

The Opportunity

GRDC is seeking a Grower Relations Manager to strengthen regional industry engagement and support the delivery of RD&E investments that address grower priorities. Working within the Grower and Stakeholder Engagement team, you'll connect with growers, advisers, researchers and industry partners to identify challenges, develop investment opportunities and support the adoption of research findings on farm.

This is a varied role combining industry engagement, technical understanding and investment management, with the opportunity to influence regional priorities and manage investments that deliver practical outcomes for Australian grain growers.

This involves:

• Building strong relationships with growers, advisers and industry stakeholders
• Identifying regional challenges and opportunities to inform RD&E investment priorities
• Developing investment proposals that will lead to meaningful research, development and extension for Australian grain growers
• Representing GRDC at relevant field days, workshops and events
• Managing RD&E investments, including contracts, budgets and delivery milestones
• Monitoring investment outcomes and representing GRDC across regional industry networks

About You

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Sound knowledge of Australian grains and broadacre cropping systems
• Experience in agronomy, agricultural research, extension, industry engagement or related fields
• Strong relationship-building skills and confidence engaging with growers and industry stakeholders
• The ability to communicate technical information clearly to different audiences
• Strong analytical, organisational and written communication skills
• The ability to manage projects, competing priorities and detailed documentation
• Commercial awareness and an interest in RD&E investment and contract management
• A proactive, adaptable approach and willingness to develop new skills
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in agriculture, agricultural science or a related discipline

Importantly, GRDC is seeking someone who understands the grains industry, enjoys working with people and can bring together technical knowledge and practical industry needs.

The role involves regular regional travel, including overnight stays during peak industry activity periods.

Why This Role

• Move beyond individual farms or portfolios and influence outcomes across the grains industry
• Have a genuine say in regional research priorities and where RD&E investment is directed
• Work closely with growers, researchers and industry leaders on challenges that matter

Additional information

• Contribute to the future productivity of Australia's grains industry
• Grower engagement, RD&E investment and industry collaboration
• Toowoomba, QLD