Technical Field Department - Manager

Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited seeks a Technical Field Department Manager to lead sugarcane breeding and variety improvement, delivering high‑yielding, disease‑tolerant varieties that secure supply and long‑term performance.

The role combines scientific expertise with commercial acumen and people leadership, reporting to the Group Manager Agriculture. A PhD and proven leadership in breeding or R&D programs are essential for success.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics or equivalent expertise.
• Significant experience leading plant breeding, agricultural research or crop improvement programs with multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative genetics, experimental design, genomics and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute sugarcane breeding and variety improvement strategy to deliver high-yielding, disease-tolerant cane varieties.
• Provide leadership to the Technical Field Department and build team capability across breeding, genetics, field trials and data analytics.
• Manage the department's operating and capital budgets to enable effective resource allocation and strategic outcomes.
• Oversee breeding trials, disease screening and genomic selection to ensure timely, robust results.
• Build relationships with growers, universities, industry bodies and government agencies to drive collaborative research initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data analytics

Genomics

Budget management

Strategic planning

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics

Job description

About Us

Wilmar Sugar Australia is part of Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness with around 100,000 employees working across more than 30 countries and regions.

Townsville

Wilmar Sugar Australia is part of Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness with around 100,000 employees working across more than 30 countries and regions. Across Australia and New Zealand, we operate two major business units, Sugar & Renewables and Sweeteners, employing 2,400+ people during peak/ seasonal operations with corporate offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville and Auckland. As Australia’s largest raw sugar manufacturer and a top 10 global producer, Wilmar Sugar & Renewables runs eight sugar mills across North Queensland. We are also one of the nation’s largest generators of renewable electricity from biomass, a major producer of bioethanol, the largest sugarcane grower, and a key supplier of sustainable fertiliser and stockfeed.

About The Role

The Technical Field Department Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and leading Wilmar’s sugarcane breeding and variety improvement program. Reporting to the Group Manager Agriculture, the position combines scientific expertise, commercial acumen and people leadership to deliver a pipeline of high-yielding, disease-tolerant and climate-resilient sugarcane varieties that support sustainable cane supply and long‑term business performance.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead and execute Wilmar’s sugarcane breeding and variety improvement strategy, delivering high‑yielding, disease‑tolerant and climate‑resilient cane varieties that support long‑term business performance.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Technical Field Department, building team capability across plant breeding, genetics, field experimentation, data analytics and technology adoption.
• Manage the department’s operating and capital budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation, commercial decision‑making and delivery of strategic research outcomes.
• Oversee breeding trials, disease screening, genomic selection programs, field operations and data systems to ensure safe, timely and scientifically robust delivery of results.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, research organisations, universities, industry bodies and government agencies to drive innovation and collaborative research initiatives.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings a PhD in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics, extensive experience leading breeding or agricultural R&D programs, and the commercial and strategic capability to shape long‑term outcomes. You will be an influential leader with exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, a passion for innovation, and the ability to translate complex science into practical business value. Above all, you will be committed to safety, collaboration and delivering sustainable results for growers and the broader industry.

Essential

• A PhD in Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics, or equivalent expertise in plant breeding and variety improvement.
• Significant experience leading plant breeding, agricultural research, or crop improvement programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative genetics, experimental design, genomics and data‑driven decision making.
• Strong leadership and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, resources, stakeholders and long‑term strategic programs.
• Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to influence across industry, research and grower networks.

Desirable

• Experience within the sugar industry, including knowledge of sugarcane production systems, variety development and adoption.
• Experience managing collaborative research partnerships with industry, universities and research organisations.

Wilmar Sugar & Renewables is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Business unit Non seasonal