VP Agriculture Continental Europe

Position Title: VP Agriculture Continental Europe

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Position Location: VilleneuvedAscq 2020

Requisition ID: 33652

Team: 9 Direct Reports, 220 full team

JOB PURPOSE:

The Vice President of Agriculture will set the Continental Europe (CE) Agriculture strategy in line with the CE strategic plan. This role will protect and reinforce partnerships with growers to secure supply, lead the development of research programs on agronomy to sustain crop performance, and select varieties resistant to climate change. Additionally, the VP will identify new solutions or opportunities and provide agronomic and scientific guidance to growers, define the smart and sustainable farming strategy, and build and implement the Reg Ag roadmap in line with McCain's commitment.

The VP will ensure successful food safety and potato traceability, maintain cost competitiveness of our grading station by optimizing the usage of our potato pile, and drive the Sustainable Cost Advantage (SCA) program while leveraging digital tools.

The VP will also ensure the CE Agriculture Workforce is best in class by building capabilities and designing the CE Agriculture organization in line with strategic objectives.

The role requires ensuring a safe, well, engaged, and future-ready CE Agriculture team, preparing and grooming talents for future-ready Agriculture executive roles, driving engagement and culture through our leadership principles, and building and retaining a highly engaged Agriculture Leadership Team.

Finally, the VP will ensure that vision, purpose, and values are understood and maintained at all times, while building a culture of safety, quality, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Quality Assurance: Ensure potatoes meet quality standards and specifications to meet customer expectations.
2. Cost Management: Oversee cost management to maintain financial health and competitiveness.
3. Grower Relations: Secure and build grower base to secure potato supply by developing relationships and bringing agronomical support to improve yields and farmers' economics.
4. Variety Development: Work on variety development that meets customer needs, factory/quality objectives, and sustainability objectives.
5. Efficient Operations: Ensure efficient operations in our grading stations while supplying the factories with required raw materials with the right quality.
6. Supply Chain Efficiency: Support production and avoid disruptions to enhance supply chain efficiency.
7. Sustainability: Drive sustainability initiatives to ensure long-term agricultural viability. Develop and roll-out reg ag and digital strategy across the region.
8. Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all relevant agricultural and food safety regulations and manage risks effectively.
9. Innovation: Drive overall innovation to stay competitive and improve business processes.
10. Dedication to the Leadership Model: Bring out the best in individuals while developing a high performing and engaged team.
11. Strategic Thinking: Prioritize with a forward-focused approach.
12. Collaborative Ownership: Work seamlessly across organizational boundaries.
13. Potato quantities: Sources approximately 1.7M tons of potatoes per year to produce 850,000 tons of product.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

1. Achievement of strategic objectives and pillars.
2. Strengthened partnerships with growers.
3. Effective implementation of research programs and sustainable practices.
4. Development and adoption of climate-resistant crop varieties.
5. Enhanced agronomic and scientific guidance to growers.
6. Successful execution of the smart and sustainable farming strategy.
7. Fulfillment of food safety and traceability standards.
8. Cost efficiency in grading operations and optimized potato usage.
9. A highly skilled and capable CE Agriculture workforce.
10. Positive employee engagement and leadership development.
11. Adherence to safety, quality, and DE&I standards.

KEY QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCES:

1. Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
2. Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in agriculture, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
3. Proven track record of managing large-scale agricultural operations and driving strategic initiatives.
4. Strong knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, crop management, and resource optimization.
5. Analytic, hands-on and able to quickly assess, anticipate, and escalate decisions in a dynamic market while driving the long-term agenda and relationship within the potato value chain.
6. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
7. Financial acumen with experience in budgeting and financial management.
8. Ability to think strategically and make data-driven decisions.
9. Experience with agricultural technologies and innovations.