Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Parent Seed Production Officer, based in Oudtshoorn.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Grower Relationship Management
- Identify and recruit new growers.
- Establish and maintain long-term sustainable relationships with growers.
- Maintain awareness of competitor/opposition growers and market activities.
- Keep growers/production officers updated on delivery schedules, processing status, quality control results, and payment information.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date grower records and details.
- Explain contract terms and production requirements to growers.
- Communicate production recommendations and technical guidance to growers.
Administration
- Complete grower contracts and Basic Seed Requests - on Sage X3.
- Assist management with parent seed planning and distribution
- Parent seed stock management - Sage X3
- Maintaining Sage X3 data base
- Evaluate contract yield potential, pricing, and expected returns.
- Manage and maintain QC quality reports.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date
- Manage and update variety descriptions
Production Planning and Management
- Plan and manage planting dates.
- Plan and manage production isolations.
- Request, handle, and coordinate delivery of Basic Seed.
- Reconcile usage and facilitate the return of unused Basic Seed.
- Monitor and manage irrigation requirements through soil moisture evaluations.
- Manage the implementation of pest control and nutrient management programmes.
Field Inspection and Quality Assurance
- Conduct routine field inspections.
- Actively rouging of plants to ensure genetic purity
- Complete Field Inspection Reports.
- Carry out SANSOR and phytosanitary inspections.
- Register productions with relevant authorities (SANSOR and the Department of Agriculture).
- Inspect, evaluate, and report on the performance of Basic Seed and plant material.
- Inspect production fields and surrounding areas to ensure required isolation standards are maintained.
- Identify and remove off-types to maintain genetic purity.
- Monitor days-to-flower and count male flowers on seed parent plants.
- Identify production-related problems and deviations.
- Managing plantings and maintenance of the Oudtshoorn premises in conjunction with Agronomist
Seed receiving, cleaning, QC and stock control
- Assist parent seed cleaning manager with regards to prioritization of seed lots and actions
- Assist in investigation of all query's and concern regarding parent seed issued for production
- Assist in identifying 1st, 2cnd and 3rd preferences seed lots for distribution.
- Assist in managing seed QC requirements for international productions
- Manage seed lots for discard
Reporting and Communication
- Complete Monthly Production Reports and Yield Estimates (where applicable).
- Report production issues and concerns to the Global Production Manager.
- Communicate findings, recommendations, and corrective actions to growers.
- Ensure all production, inspection, and compliance records are accurately maintained.
- Establish a fluent relationship with Research personal.
- Training and communication with regards to new parent line/inbreeds catachrestic to the production department.
- Attending meetings and give feedback on parent seed related inquiries.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
- Ensure compliance with SANSOR regulations and phytosanitary requirements.
- Register and maintain production records with relevant authorities.
- Support quality assurance standards and industry compliance requirements.
Problem Solving and Monitoring
- Monitor crop performance throughout the production cycle.
- Identify and address production challenges promptly.
- Evaluate soil moisture levels, crop health, pest pressure, and nutrient status.
- Escalate critical production risks and concerns to the Global Production Manager.
