Job Description

An international agribusiness company in crop protection that has been an allay to farmers for many years is looking for a Research Manager. This company has an extensive range of products and services, and aims to work with farmers to preserve natural resources, restore soil biology and address the need for producing nutritious food.
Purpose of the job:

• Identify and initiate a research strategy that will grow the revenue of the business and provide a pipeline of products, services and IP into the future across all portfolios of the business.
• Set up the necessary structures, resources and collaborations (internally and externally) to achieve these objectives.
• Ensure the Research Dept is resourced, trained, and compliant with all procedures, protocols and regulations to support existing product sales as well as new business opportunities identified.
• Liaise with other Depts to conduct techno-commercial analyses of new business opportunities to select and prioritise projects.
• Evaluate additional services that could be introduced into the business to expand into new markets.

Required Outputs Functional (Principle Responsibilities):

• Modify, create and enforce the new product/project development protocol i.e. set up stage-gate process to progress projects, set up criteria for advancing or rejecting projects; set up register and priorities for research projects; ensure commercial and technical justification of projects meet the requirements of the business and liaise with all the Depts to coordinate and maintain the development of new products and projects.
• Set up and maintain necessary infrastructure, resource base and skillsets to service current and future needs of the business; manage existing personnel and their upskilling and identify and motivate for changes to personnel, equipment and infrastructure to meet the needs of the business; nurture an environment conducive for research and excellence in product development, idea generation and evaluation, formulation development and analytical skills.
• Maintain and implement compliance systems- participation in all audits done for ISO9001, ISO14001,OSHAS, 18001, organic certification, external audits pertaining to research activities. Evaluate need for and implementation of accreditation programmes for Research Dept including GLP. Ensure all documentation is compiled and kept up to date for the abovementioned accreditations w.r.t. quality function. Arrange for organic audit annually and provide necessary documentation. Review SOP's and WI's when changes are suggested. Draw up new product specs and raw material specs for new products. Load BOM onto the system. Ensure analytical method is written up and incorporated into ISO9001 system.
• Customer complaints investigation- Investigate complaints on in-house products w.r.t. quality or efficacy etc.; analyse and advise on the rework of finished products returned.; investigate and determine process to reformulate product that has been manufactured incorrectly by Production and advise Production on the process to be followed.
• Development of new products- Develop and maintain a pipeline of new products to grow the business. Oversee research on suitable actives for solutions to certain problems in agriculture that have been identified by the Technical, Marketing and Sales Depts. Source identified actives, liaise with suppliers for samples and participate in supply agreements with suppliers; sourcing of inerts for formulations as identified by the Formulation Chemist. Check expiry date of patents and patent contents of new actives. Investigate patentability of new formulation. Understand and develop the knowledge of in-house products and their working to better market and support products in the field.
• Research activities for registration- Ensure that the formulation and stability testing for submission is complete according to the submission plan. Request samples from suppliers for stability testing and trial samples as well as request and review of 5 batch analysis reports from suppliers to check compliance with FAO specs. Review and explain any formulation changes on old products for submission. Request samples of 5 batch analysis that has to be conducted locally. Outsource stability testing of samples. Assist in planning submission of new products, new sources and changed formulations. Assist with analytical method development for new products.
• Research possibilities from institutions- Meet with research institutions to enquire about research activities and possible market opportunities for developments. Liaise w.r.t. agreements/contracts with such institutions and track progress of projects.
• Registration of new sources of active ingredients- Review registered sources and determine the need for additional sources. Source suppliers for active ingredients of which another source is required. Liaise with supplier on 5 batch analysis reports and letters of supply. Ensure stability tests are done in new sources and plan submission with relevant parties.
• Research and innovation- Build the knowledge base and IP unique to the business through research activities and trials. Identify new avenues for research that would place the business in a strong position in current markets or open up new markets. Develop a primary research capability for the business. Set up regular research meetings within the business to evaluate progress on research topics or explore ideas across various divisions within the business. Create a platform for idea sharing and management of innovation.

Qualification and expertise required:

• Grade 12 with post matric qualification of a BSc in a field relevant to the business including Chemistry, Agronomy, Microbiology, Plant Physiology.
• 10 years' post-graduate experience in a laboratory or research environment.
• 5 years' experience in product development and registration.
• 5 years' experience in laboratory and research management.

Knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of instrumentation used in the laboratory i.e. HPLC, GC, FTIR, etc.
• ISO9001, organic certification.
• SHEQ Management Systems standards/ requirements knowledge.
• Knowledge of production processes and equipment.
• Knowledge of general agricultural formulations in existence e.g. EC, SC, SL, SL, WP, TB, OD, ME, WDG, etc.
• Knowledge of registration requirements of Act 36 of 1947.
• Knowledge of FAO specifications for actives and formulations.
• Ability to review chemical data for registration purposes.
• Working knowledge of Syspro.
• Working knowledge of statistics and other regulatory guidelines i.e. OECD etc.
• Excellent formulation expertise.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint).
• Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Competencies:

• Safety orientated
• Analytical and interpretive skills pertaining to laboratory results
• Planning and organising
• Communication (written and verbal) and presentation
• Working with people
• Problem solving
• Leadership
• Deadline driven and multitasking
• Learning and researching
• Apply expertise and knowledge
• Creating and innovating
• Delivering results
• Deciding and initiating actions
• Adapting and responding to change
• Coping with pressures and setbacks
• Must be in possession of a valid driver's license, have own reliable transport and be medically fit to drive.

The company is committed to enabling individuals, previously disadvantaged by discriminatory practices to gain full and equal access to opportunities appropriate to their competency and potential.
All applications to be submitted in English.
Apply online with your cover "letter" in the message box.

Skills Required