About the Opportunity

Based on our commitment to grow “more berries with less resources”, the need to meet our short to long term internal commitments and legal obligations and develop a sound understanding of water related dynamics and data, as EMEA’s Water Specialist and Resource Manager (WSRM) you will elevate water stewardship within Driscoll’s and outside the organisation. You will collaborate directly with Operations teams, growers, agronomy and R&D experts to support innovative water management solutions for both soil and substrate farming. From cooperating to analyze water dynamics to help implement cutting-edge technologies, your work will ensure sustainable water use today while securing production for tomorrow. This is your opportunity to make a tangible difference - transforming water challenges into opportunities that can positively impact not only our growers and our nursery operations, but the overall production environment of the regions where our production is generated. The role entails strong focus on water legality, governance, external relationships and communicating to the different stakeholders Driscoll’s position on water stewardship and reporting on progress of our roadmap. You will play a key part in horizon scanning for new legislation and prepare the organization for upcoming changes in frameworks and reporting requirements. Elevating the organization’s profile and advocacy within the regions, by leading as key actor in and representing the organization in a variety of networks and interactions.

Responsibilities

In close interaction and cooperation with our global resources supporting and leading our strategic water strategies, the WSRM will continue to develop the Driscoll’s water stewardship roadmap, elevating the organization’s profile with stakeholders, industry peers and building spaces for collaboration both in the operational areas and at government and legislative levels.

This will be achieved by:

• Developing a deep understanding of water related needs, access, issues, challenges and opportunities in the different EMEA regions within the fruit and nursery production environment.
• Collaborating to understand water availability and access, short-, mid- and long-term trends and capitalize on established tools, processes and support services like Waterplan, to map water availability in the regions we work with today, and possible future production areas. Develop and communicate water resilience curves which will provide guidance for the relevant departments, and particularly our Strategic Panning Supply Group, to be able to make informed decisions and increase accuracy in short to mid, and long-term planning.
• Establishing water governance frameworks, creating regional benchmarks and KPIs that drive continuous improvement in resource efficiency. Be able to communicate this to different stakeholders at different levels on progress on water use efficiency, quality, resilience and overall impact on delight.
• Developing and supporting execution of the water strategy program for EMEA with defined governance roles and responsibilities within the different departments for on farm practices including solutions to increase efficiency, reuse, recycle and minimize drainage. Support as required Compliance needs and requirements related to food safety water risks and solutions.
• Advising executive leadership on water-related business risks, regulatory changes, and strategic opportunities.
• Championing sustainability positioning, representing Driscoll's water stewardship in key industry forums and communications.
• Monitoring, acting upon and communicating government, industry and water-oriented organizations, on water related strategies, policies, actions, incentives and possible decisions that could impact water access, availability and use.
• Support communication strategies at the local, regional, business unit and global level, as required, to promote, demonstrate actions and results.
• Develop reporting and risk management tools to assess growers’ capabilities and other aspects related to water. Establish processes to track the tools and communicate outcomes.
• Following Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, government agencies, growers, customers, etc.
• Ensuring the safekeeping of Driscoll’s confidential and proprietary information and materials.
• Performing other duties as required and agreed with manager.

Internal and external stakeholders collaboration and coordination

Becoming even more scarce and demanded, water is and will likely be the key limiting factor and input into many human and economic activities, having a major impact in agricultural production. Understanding availability and access, supporting on farm delivery of safe and clean water, building up use efficiency, providing for constant and consistent quality, securing our production, sustainability, business and legal commitments, our requirements and obligations, and having clarity of consumer and costumer expectations, requires a multi-functional approach in which internal and external stakeholders are a fundamental part of the strategy and associated processes. Stakeholders include:

Sustainability regional and global teams. Compliance teams at the EMEA and regional level. Operations/production regional and local teams. Applied Research/Agronomy/R&D global, regional and local teams. Growers, both owners and technical teams supporting production. Nursery teams, Driscoll´s and third party, as required. Government, industry, university, and NGO’s involved in water research, analysis, policy and environmental impact and solutions. Driscoll’s Business Unit and Global Leadership Teams.

Candidate Profile

• MSc degree on water technologies, crop physiology, environmental or sustainability sciences or equivalent, with a minimum 10 years of relevant experience, and a background of coordinating and/or leading research or water oriented agronomic programs. Robust work experience in private agricultural enterprises, leading technical and grower-facing programs.
• Production knowledge, preferably in horticultural crops, either by having direct production responsibilities or irrigation/water/fertilization technical support functions.
• Proven ability to deliver on objectives and results within an international multicultural environment.
• Research and analytical skills to analyse problems in a multi-faceted way and to develop and participate in implementing fruit supply solutions with increased resource use efficiency and crop resiliency practices.
• Capable of supporting the identification of key water centred technologies and solutions that can represent step change for the current standard on-farm systems of horticultural crops, and preferably of the berry category.
• Based on generating commitment, engagement and shared accountability for results, have a keen ability to interact, communicate with and develop internal and external results-oriented relationships.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, based on exposure and work within multi-cultural environments and diverse audiences.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, French and/or Arabic desirable.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to do multiple tasks and solve problems with a sense of urgency without direct supervision.
• Needs to be dependable, reliable, self-starter, and able to work independently.
• Proficient internet and Microsoft Office computer experience.
• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions are also required.
• Driscoll’s leadership competencies
  • Strategic Mindset                                                       
  • Cultivates innovation
  • Plans & Aligns
  • Drives results
  • Collaborates
  • Drives engagement
  • Develops talent
  • Courage
• Other relevant competencies
  • Empirical research acumen
  • Being resilient
  • Business acumen
• Other:
  Travel requirements (aproximately 30% of the time)

About Driscolls

Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.