Head of Agricultural R&D & Strategic Innovation

Mayfly Agri; Gauteng; Vor Ort; ZAR 1.200.000 - 1.800.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Mayfly Agri is seeking a senior R&D leader in South Africa to shape and drive long-term agricultural research strategy. You will oversee budgets, governance, and portfolio management across production, risk mitigation, and post-harvest, while engaging with universities, government and industry partners.

You will translate research into practical outcomes, mentor staff, and represent the company in forums to promote the macadamia sector domestically and internationally.

Qualifikationen

• PhD or MSc in an agricultural/scientific discipline (PhD advantageous).
• 8–10 years in agricultural research, applied science or programme management.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary research programmes/projects.
• Experience with research budgets, contracts and funding agreements.
• Strong stakeholder-management with universities, government and industry.
• Ability to communicate with senior researchers and technical specialists.
• Strong governance, strategic-planning and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to translate scientific research into practical industry outcomes.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel.

Aufgaben

• Develop and implement long-term R&D strategy aligned with MOI and levy objectives.
• Identify industry priorities and emerging risks.
• Prepare annual operational plans, research roadmaps, and portfolio reviews.
• Advise CEO/COO/R&D Committee/Board on strategic research matters.
• Manage the complete research portfolio across Production, Risk Mitigation, and Post-Harvest.
• Oversee project selection, contracting, implementation, monitoring, and close-out.
• Monitor milestones, budgets, risks, deliverables, and project impact.
• Recommend continuation, amendment, or termination of projects.
• Lead the R&D Committee and coordinate Sub-Committees.
• Prepare agendas, Board submissions, minutes and action registers.
• Maintain governance frameworks, policies, and QA systems.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, IP provisions and funding conditions.
• Develop and manage the annual research budget and cash flows.
• Provide financial and portfolio reports to Management and the Board.
• Develop strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, government, processors, growers, and international partners.
• Identify and secure external funding opportunities.
• Negotiate research collaborations and co-funding agreements.
• Lead translation of research into practical outputs and publish findings.
• Coordinate technical publications, project summaries, and research networking events.
• Measure adoption and impact of research outcomes.
• Lead, mentor and develop research staff; develop KPIs and conduct reviews.
• Drive a high-performance research culture and represent the organisation at forums.
• Promote SA macadamia industry interests nationally and internationally.

Kenntnisse

Strategic planning

Project management

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Governance

Leadership

Translation of research to practice

Team mentoring

Communication with execs

Ausbildung

MSc or PhD in Agriculture / Plant Science / related field

Jobbeschreibung

Mayfly Agri is seeking a senior R&D leader in South Africa to shape and drive long-term agricultural research strategy. You will oversee budgets, governance, and portfolio management across production, risk mitigation, and post-harvest, while engaging with universities, government and industry partners.

You will translate research into practical outcomes, mentor staff, and represent the company in forums to promote the macadamia sector domestically and internationally.