Agronomist Horticulture Irrigation Design Frequent Travel

United Exports; Modimolle; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the fruit production industry seeks a Horticultural Consultant to enhance blueberry quality and productivity. The ideal candidate will possess a BSc in Horticulture and have at least 5 years of relevant experience. This role involves outdoor work, managing trials, and training growers in best practices.

Qualifications

• Tertiary degree in BSc Horticulture required.
• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience needed.

Responsibilities

• Consult on horticultural issues to achieve optimum fruit quality.
• Trial and evaluate treatments for improved crop outcomes.
• Assist in designing irrigation strategies.

Skills

Computer literacy

Project management

Research

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

BSc Horticulture

Postgraduate degree in Agronomy

Job description

United Exports is a completely integrated international fruit breeder, producer, and exporter with a particular focus on new blueberry varieties. Our leading blueberry brand OZblu is helping grow the category and set new standards across the globe.

Reporting to the Technical Director, this position is responsible for improving quality by focusing on increasing soil productivity, enhancing fruit nutrition, and crop protection.

Key Performance Outputs

1. Visit internal and third-party growers and consult on specific horticultural issues to achieve optimum fruit quality.
2. Use scientific methods to trial and evaluate different treatments to achieve the best possible results and implement on all farms.
3. Test and trial new fertiliser products to achieve maximum yield and best fruit quality.
4. Assist with designing irrigation strategies and schedules.
5. Train and support growers and production managers to effectively apply all irrigation and fertigation practices and schedules.
6. Promote better and standardised farming practices across all farms in the Group.

This position will work primarily outdoors in the orchards and may require walking, standing, and kneeling for extended periods. Frequent travel is also required, and a valid South African driver’s license is essential. Our farms are located in the Cape Wine Lands (Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Ceres, Worcester) and the Northern Provinces (Waterberg, Rustenburg, Limpopo, Lephalale, and Randfontein). We are open to placing the ideal candidate in any of these locations.

Requirements

Qualifications / Experience

• A relevant tertiary degree in BSc Horticulture, preferably with a postgraduate degree in Agronomy.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience.

Functional / Technical Skills

• Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments.
• Blueberry experience is advantageous.
• Manage trials and prepare necessary reports.
• Strong computer literacy: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Strong people management, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong research, decision-making, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.

Education

Relevant tertiary degree in BSc Horticulture, preferably with a postgraduate degree in Agronomy, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.

Key Skills

Computer literacy, project management, research, interpersonal skills, organisational skills, communication skills, decision-making, problem-solving, attention to detail.

Employment Type: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 1