Starke Ayres: Parent Seed Production Officer

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.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualification

• National Diploma in Agriculture (essential).
• BTech of BSc in Agriculture (preferential)

Experience

• Junior Production Officer for 2 seasons on relevant crops
• Plant breeding knowledge and experience (advantageous)

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of Seed Production
• Authorised SANSOR inspector (essential)
• AVCASA or similar courses
• Accreditted by NDA to conduct Phytosanitary Field Inspections on relevant crops (ideal)
• Seed science-seed analyst course (advantageous)
• Advanced experience in Excel.

Planning

• Planting dates
• Delivery of Basic Seed and Plant Material
• Timing of Inspections for Field Inspection Report and Phytosanitary Documentation
• Flower management
• Harvesting and delivery of seed lots
• Ongoing short, medium and long term planning with regards to deadlines.
• Issuing of Basic Seed

Other

• Valid driver's license
• Willing to travel extensively (Local and international)
• Able to communicate in English and Afrikaans
• Sage X3 experience (advantageous)