Lider Tecnico de Cultivo

Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc; Chao; On-site; PEN 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Driscoll’s is seeking a senior agronomy professional to oversee all crops grown in substrate at the research center. You will coordinate with farm teams to optimize fertility, irrigation and pest control while ensuring traceable, efficient operations.

The role requires 5+ years in similar positions, expertise in berry crops, AG technology, and leadership experience. You will collaborate with breeders, entomologists and pathologists to achieve plant health and yield targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Horticulture or Agriculture.
• 5+ years of experience in similar roles.
• Experience growing berries in substrate.
• Strong agronomy knowledge including plant physiology and genetics.
• Advanced English proficiency and driving license.
• Ag technology savvy and planning & logistics skills.
• Experience with automated irrigation platforms (SENMATIC, PRIVA, KNITINK, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Oversee the agronomy of all crops in substrate with the research farm teams.
• Review fertility programs for blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.
• Lead supplier evaluation for new technology purchases.
• Manage a team of technicians and guide irrigation and fertility decisions.
• Ensure EC, pH and fertility stay within target ranges via data analysis.
• Support pest and disease control programs with the supervisor.
• Oversee tractor operations and equipment maintenance with the supervisor.
• Follow budgets by purchasing, tracking and coding farming expenses.
• Communicate weekly with breeders, entomologists, plant pathologists, and researchers.
• Gather monthly water and tissue samples to meet nutrient targets.
• Represent Driscoll’s ethically in all interactions with stakeholders.
• Work effectively with supervisors and ranch staff.

Skills

Berry agronomy

Pest control

Irrigation management

Automation tech

Substrate crops

Team leadership

English proficiency

Planning & logistics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture

Master's degree in Agriculture

Tools

SENMATIC

PRIVA

KNITINK

Job description

About the Opportunity

To ensure the optimal and consistent development of crops at the research center through the comprehensive and efficient management of agricultural operations. In the irrigation and fertilization area, the objective is to plan, execute, and monitor the timely application of water and nutrients based on the crop’s phenological requirements and soil analysis. This includes ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, optimizing the use of water resources and fertilizers, supervising the assigned team, and maintaining complete traceability of activities to generate efficiency indicators related to water and nutrient use. In the plant health area, the objective is to prevent, monitor, and control pests and diseases that may affect crop quality and productivity. This is achieved through the implementation and follow-up of the annual phytosanitary management and responsible pesticide use program, the evaluation of damage thresholds, and the generation of indicators that measure the effectiveness of the strategies applied, supporting the continuous improvement of the center’s plant health management practices.

Responsibilities tbd

• Oversee the agronomy of all crops in substrate, working with the existing research farm teams to grow the crops to best commercial practice.
• Review recipes and implement proper fertility program for blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.
• Gather vendor information and lead the decision-making process of selecting a provider of a new technology purchase.
• Manage a team of technicians by giving guidance on irrigation a fertility decision, daily/weekly tasks and long-term planning. Experience on technical training.
• Ensure correct EC, pH and fertility are maintained in correct ranges through analysis of daily data collection and oversight of irrigation system maintenance.
• Support pest and disease control program, including scouting and coordination of chemical applications and working directly with pesticide application supervisor.
• Oversee tractor operations and proper maintenance of tractors and forklifts with the help of the tractor equipment assistant supervisor.
• Follow operating budgets by purchasing, tracking, and coding farming expenses.
• Communicate weekly with internal customers (breeders, entomologists, plant pathologists, and applied researchers) on fertilization, pest/disease management, and other farming duties.
• Gather monthly water samples and tissue samples to guarantee proper nutrient targets are met.
• Comply with company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc.
• Ability to work well with all supervisors and employees at a ranch level.

Candidate Profile

A Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in Horticulture, Biology, Biochemistry or Agriculture, with comprehensive understanding of horticulture crops and agronomy, plant physiology and plant genetics.

• Experience in similar positions: 5 years
• Advanced English Driver’s License Knowledge:
• Pest & Disease Control.
• Fertility/Plant Health Integrated Pest Management Program
• Technical knowledge of growing berries/Agronomy.
• Ag Technology savvy.
• Planning & Logistics.
• Experience: Experience with automated irrigation platforms (SENMATIC, PRIVA, KNITINK, etc.)
• Experience growing crops in substrate.
• Follow pesticide and fertility budgets.
• Generate and manage farming protocols.
• Measure of KPI’s according to business goals
• Experience Managing People: 3-5 years

Driscoll’s is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world. Driscoll’s exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners. Driscoll’s is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries.