GROW WITH US

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and become part of an organisation where growth, innovation, and collaboration are key? Then this is your chance!

About BerryWorld Varieties

Agroberries with BerryWorld Group within its portfolio is a leading soft fruit marketing company, supplying fresh berries on a global scale to supermarkets and food service businesses. BerryWorld Varieties are a division of Agroberries/BerryWorld Group responsible for managing the group’s breeding programs and the plant supply requirements of our soft fruit growers around the world.

Job Purpose

• Primary technical contact between BWV international Propagators (Nursery) group and the grower/BWV international customer base.
• Responsible for management and oversight of grower developments through agronomic support and advice focussing on blueberries.
• Responsible for the technical oversight of new Blueberry growing projects within the BW/Agroberries group. This will be end to end oversight from initial feasibility to the execution of technical requirements of up and running large scale growing operations.
• The technical link and specialist with Berryworld group, propagators, growers, and marketing desks.
• Plan and execute various trials with growers and third parties.
• Ongoing development of varietal specific blueberry growing techniques inclusive of Pruning Strategies, feed strategies and Irrigation strategies.
• Ability to interpret climate data and make recommendations on possible blueberry cropping options and seasonality in our BerryWorld variety portfolio (High Chill – Mid Chill – Low Chill).
• Disseminate best practice across all of the AB/BW growing regions.

Key accountabilities

Seasonal Activities

• Ongoing development and management of forecasting models for plant material to the growers.
• Translating fruit demand into a plant demand through an understanding of crop performance and yield.
• Co-ordination with marketing desks and growers to create useful data that enables change within seasons.
• Coordinate propagator and grower trials and display results in a means that deliver improvements year on year.
• Visiting the growers within the regions, main contact for new projects and coordination of these new projects on technical level.
• Running viability studies on new areas of production.

Weekly Activities

• Regular contact with propagators and growers to understand likely challenges and find solutions for such issues.
• Visit growers as necessary to understand factors affecting crop performance inclusive of Irrigation, Crop fertigation, Pruning strategies and an awareness of Pest and Disease issues.
• Troubleshooting/ issue management, finding solutions.
• Update the business on the development of new any new blueberry projects within BerryWorld.

Long Term Planning Activities

• Long term planning discussions with international marketing desks.
• Support growers in developing 5-8 years plan.
• Supplier developments to improve quality and yield of plants (e.g., Agronomic techniques to gap fill).
• Undertaking activities to support volume developments (e.g., New supplier visits, new source development).
• Activities that lead to development of increased sales in relevant product areas.
• Supplier Scorecard for improving grower operations (Best practice and crop quality).

Other Key Accountabilities

• Involvement in other areas as requested by other parts of the BWG/AB team.

Key stakeholders

• International breeders
• International nurseries
• International suppliers
• Internal team members
• Third party service providers

Company initiative and compliance

• To comply with all legal and statutory obligations applicable to the role.
• All individuals are expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their job and may be asked to perform other duties which reasonably correspond to the general character of their job and their level of responsibility.
• Support Company Initiatives and always demonstrate Company Values.
• Take responsibility for the Health and Safety of yourself and others whilst at work and to comply with the Company’s policies and legislation.
• All individuals are expected to maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and participate in appropriate learning and development activities.

Qualifications / knowledge & experience

Qualifications & experience

• Experience of a Nursery environment.
• Experience and understanding of the grower’s mentality.
• Knows horticultural crops.
• Speaks English (Spanish is a plus).

Specific knowledge, experience & skills

• Proven track record of delivering blueberry crops.
• Attention to detail and analytical skills. Accustomed to working with and interpreting data.
• Proven time management skills: Accustomed to working with and meeting time critical deadlines.
• Demonstrates a resilient and flexible working style. Accustomed to problem solving
• IT skills – highly proficient with MS Excel Word and Microsoft Outlook. Experience of working with accounting software would be beneficial.

Location

This position is based in our Dutch office in Made, The Netherlands. As part of an international team, you’ll work closely with colleagues across the BerryWorld Group while enjoying a central location within one of Europe’s key soft fruit growing regions. 

Travel

Travel to customers/suppliers internationally will be required, including new territories all over the world.

Are you our new colleague?

Can you already picture yourself working at BerryWorld Varieties? Send your CV and motivation letter to our HR Manager, Maarten Asselbergs, at maarten.asselbergs@berryworld.com. We’d love to meet you soon over a cup of coffee or tea!

Want to know more? Visit our website: www.berryworld.com

Join us and help build our success story!