Senior Manager, Agriculture and Food Innovation

Senior Manager, Agriculture and Food Innovation

Alberta Innovates (AI) is seeking a Senior Manager that is responsible for accelerating the development and adoption of technologies to grow and sustain Alberta’s agri-food.

The focus includes leading and managing core funding opportunities for the development, validation, and commercialization of sustainable technologies that enhance efficiencies, reduce production costs, and add value to Alberta’s agri-food sector.

As part of the role, the incumbent develops a strong understanding of the global market and consumer trends, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing Alberta’s agri-food sectors.

Are you our Senior Manager, Agriculture and Food Innovation? You would be a good fit for this position if you :

• Ability to lead diverse teams, foster collaboration and inspire innovation.
• Capability to develop and execute long-term strategies aligned with industry trends and organizational goals.
• Strong background and knowledge of agricultural practices, food production technologies, and understanding of emerging innovations in the industry.

We are game changers.

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st-century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans.

We do this by building on our province’s research and technology development strengths in the core sectors of health, environment, energy, food and fibre, and platforms such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and omics.

We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta’s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance the well-being of Albertans through research and innovation.

Our subsidiary, InnoTech Alberta, offers a diversified range of scientific engineering and technological research and testing capabilities, and the facilities to support technology scale-up.

Our multidisciplinary team has the depth of experience to work across all sectors, from energy to health to food and fibre.

InnoTech Alberta offers you access to research talent, technical expertise, and unique facilities that can help accelerate technology development that serves both the private and public sector.

Intrigued? Here’s some more information about the position :

Reporting to the Executive Director, Agriculture and Food Innovation , the Sr. Manager, Agriculture and Food Innovation will lead a team approach to targeted agri-food research / innovation funding through the planning, design, and delivery of relevant programming.

The successful incumbent will be accountable for (but not limited to) the following :

• Ensure information developed through projects can be used by producers to reduce cost of production, increase productivity, or enhance and add value to livestock and crops in the agri-food sector.
• Conduct due diligence to identify superior projects for investment using AI strategic and business planning documents as a guide to project prioritization.
• Undertake technology scanning and market intelligence, identification of trends, issues, and challenges.
• Identify high impact initiatives and projects based on gap analysis and identified needs.
• Build strong relationships and broad networks with stakeholders in the agri-food sector, including academia, industry organizations, producer groups, and other research organizations.
• Foster a collaborative culture between government, universities, research organizations, industry, and stakeholders.
• Champion the adoption of innovative technologies in Alberta’s agri-food sector by developing targeted information and / or extension activities for scientific or industry target audiences, summarizing relevant research, innovation, advancements, and outcomes.
• Promote programs and services at conferences and workshops.
• Ensure that Alberta Innovates research / innovation programming is relevant to Alberta and results in economic growth and diversification, employment or environmental or social benefits.
• Provide leadership on matters related to socially and environmentally responsible, cost competitive research, and innovation initiatives crucial to Alberta’s agri-food sector.
• Manage a portfolio of projects to their successful conclusion.
• Provide advice to principal investigators to ensure interim or final project reports are received in a timely manner, project progress continues as expected and corrective action is taken if needed.
• Monitor the project’s fiscal management to ensure that funds are distributed according to the Agreement.
• Manage reviews or investigations of project issues and ensure that senior management is kept informed as appropriate.
• Consult with and provide advice to executive committee members and senior members in government on a wide range of sensitive issues concerning research applications, invention disclosure, confidentiality, strategic planning, and other matters.
• Provide support to junior team members through mentorship and / or supervision.
• Take a team approach with Alberta Innovates’ Communication Team to participate in media announcements and promotional activities.

Educational Requirement :

Advanced degree in Agricultural, Food Sciences, Natural Resources, or a related field. Extended work experience may be substituted for educational credentials, if appropriate.

Expertise in livestock would be advantageous.

Experience and Qualifications we are looking for :

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in leadership, program, and project management, including scientific analysis, a thorough understanding of scientific research principles and processes.

Management and / or supervisory experience is essential.

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Alberta’s agriculture, food, and natural resources industries.
• Familiarity with Alberta’s social, economic, environmental, and technological needs and priorities.
• Experience in working in / with government and industry in agri-food production and environmental management, including leading research projects, and participating in joint industry projects.
• Experience working with senior technical and management professionals from industry, environmental NGOs and other stakeholders would be an asset.

Skills Required :

• Excellent communication skills.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with industry stakeholders, government bodies and research institutions.
• Ability to adapt to evolving technologies and market dynamics in the agriculture and food sector.
• Ability to mitigate risks.
• Strong leadership skill

Why Alberta Innovates?

We offer our employees opportunities to work on projects that will expand their skill sets while witnessing the visible impacts of their efforts.

We value the development of our employees and create opportunities for working in capacities that allow new skills to be learned.

We know that the wellness of our team is the most important part of our business, so we offer a strong benefits package and generous vacation and paid time off programs to promote work-life balance.

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance. All interviewees must be able to meet the requirement specified in the Physical Demand Analysis.

This document will be supplied during the interview process to the successful candidate. This competition will remain open until a successful candidate is found.

ALBERTA INNOVATES IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.

WE WISH TO THANK ALL APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST. HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.