Agronomist

SUMMARY:

An established manufacturer and distributor of Plant Nutrition products is seeking a dynamic Agronomist to support the development, execution, and interpretation of agronomic trials aimed at enhancing product performance, generating scientific insights, and informing marketing and commercial strategies. The role involves close collaboration with clients, contract research organisations (CROs), and internal teams to ensure high-quality data generation, effective technical service delivery, and the strategic positioning of the company’s products and crop solutions.

POSITION INFO:

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have an MSc or PhD in Agriculture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding, or a related field
• AVCASA in Crop Protection and/or BASOS/FERTASA certification is preferred
• SACNASP registration or eligibility will be advantageous
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in agronomic research or a technical role within the agricultural sector
• Proven experience designing and conducting agricultural field trials
• Demonstrated involvement in writing or contributing to scientific publications; authorship of peer-reviewed articles will be advantageous
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Capable of working both independently and within a team
• Comfortable presenting technical information to both scientific and commercial audiences
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel on a regular basis and work in field conditions

• Planning, executing, and managing controlled and commercial agronomic trials across various crops and geographies.
• Developing detailed protocols and SOPs based on current scientific literature and best practices.
• Managing external CROs to ensure data quality, adherence to protocols, and timely delivery of results.
• Performing rigorous data analysis using statistical software (especially R/RStudio) to extract meaningful insights.
• Ensuring trial data is being presented in a scientifically sound, visually compelling, and commercially relevant format.
• Providing agronomic and technical support to farmers, distributors, and internal teams.
• Translating trial data and research findings into practical on-farm recommendations.
• Investigating and resolving technical product queries or client complaints, producing clear and detailed reports.
• Maintaining strong relationships with strategic partners, distributors, growers, and relevant industry bodies.
• Staying abreast of emerging trends in plant science, soil health, crop nutrition, and bio-stimulants—particularly seaweed extracts.
• Contributing to internal product development initiatives and supporting the expansion of existing offerings.
• Presenting findings at industry events, internal meetings, and scientific platforms.
• Collaborating on written content for peer-reviewed journals, popular articles, and technical bulletins.
• Working closely with the Applied Science Manager and other internal stakeholders to align research priorities with company goals.
• Supporting the marketing and sales teams by providing technical input for campaigns and training sessions.
• Contributing to the company’s broader innovation and sustainability goals through ongoing professional development and cross-department collaboration.