Position Title: Onion Agronomist

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Position Location: Fruitland

Requisition ID: 21295

We know the importance that food plays in people's lives – the power it has to bring people, families and communities together. Our purpose is to bring enjoyment to people’s lives through great-tasting food, in a way that reflects our values.

Be our onion expert! Improve raw quality and cost for our onion ring manufacturing plants through research on crop varieties and production; crop scouting; educational extension to growers on technology, best practices, and sustainability; and onion storage management.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate PNW McCain onion fields every 10 days during the growing season, and ultimately determine which fields are suitable for delivery to McCain.
• Advise growers throughout the season on topics including irrigation, fertility, pest control, technology adoption, and sustainability.
• Perform daily environmental monitoring of stored onions to maintain quality and minimize decay, carry out periodic in-person monitoring of McCain and grower storages to identify potential problems, and complete annual sampling of company storages and evaluation for accelerated aging analysis.
• Support University and third-party plant breeders with variety development. Evaluate new varieties in field and storage trials and complete factory approval of onion varieties.
• Conduct research directly or in cooperation with University Experiment stations to address issues affecting onion yield, quality, sustainability, and storability. Support regional research initiatives benefiting the onion industry at large.
• Act as back-up to the facility manager and supervisor, learning our business inside and out. Manage or assist with grower contracting, electronic sorting equipment, truck loading, data entry, etc. when it does not interfere with key agronomy responsibilities (occasional weekend work).
• Approve all fields as being compliant with pesticide use laws by maintaining an up-to-date pesticide database and reviewing grower records prior to crop delivery on a field-by-field basis. Ensure growers are compliant with FSMA by reviewing Harmonized GAP audits annually and serve as the FSMA “Preventive Controls Qualified” individual responsible for ensuring compliance for all company storages.
• Manage our Grower Advisory Board and in-season grower communication and notes.
• Special Projects: This could include tasks like auditing raw material grading across factories, participation in company initiatives (e.g. Think IQ), participation in industry committees or working groups, and educating management and other McCain functions (e.g. sales and marketing) about raw onion traits and production.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (with experience) or a Master’s degree in agronomy or a closely related field
• Work experience in agriculture research, extension, and grower relations is desirable. Familiarity with the onion industry is preferred
• Strong communication skills and ability to transfer knowledge to farmers and make recommendations for management regarding crop issues
• Knowledge of and willingness to develop new agronomic techniques
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively
• Ability to listen and understand the needs of both growers and the requirements of the McCain factories; by balancing the demands of both parties with tact and diplomacy
• Willingness to partner closely with outside entities including Universities, Government Agencies, and industry groups as well as factory staff for quality and food safety
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality. Public speaking skills are a necessity.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Idaho or Oregon Pesticide Consultant’s license is desired
• Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification is desired

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

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Job Family: Agriculture
Division: NA Appetizers
Department: Ag & Sustainability, NA App
Location(s): US - United States of America : Idaho : Fruitland

Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.