DAIRYNZ POSITION DESCRIPTION Title and Reporting Relationships Position Title: Reports to: Location: Career Level: Science Support Manager General Manager Research & Development Newstead People Leader Key Activities for DairyNZ The purpose of DairyNZ is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming through Investing for valued outcomes Delivering against commitments Earning the support of dairy farmers Engaging with dairy farmers Developing and maintaining capability Influencing stakeholders Position Purpose This position implements strategy and oversees the operations of all DairyNZ Science Services (across the Farms, Technical Services and Research Resources). It ensures a high quality professional Science Support team which work closely with science to facilitate science needs. The prime purpose is to provide suitable research staff and facilities for our science to be undertaken. A second objective is to deliver support cost effectively. Team Organisation Chart Science Support Manager January 2015 1
Key Accountabilities Key deliverables of the role to be reflected in the Performance Agreement and Individual Performance Targets. Key Performance Requirement Research Relationships and Trial Management Operational Management Key Indicators To develop and maintain strong relationships with Research: Work proactively to develop understanding of science needs for trials on-farm and build strong relationships with key users. Facilitate a free interchange of ideas between Research scientists and Science Support Teams to improve the understanding and efficiencies in both. Continue to liaise with clients to understand their requirements and develop and implement systems to deliver to these requirements. Provide professional service and quality oriented trial services on farm. Manage the Science Support Group by: Implementing Board decisions and performance objectives. Annually developing and implementing a Science Support plan that links to the strategic plan, showing integration, linkages and networks. Monitor delivery of projects against milestones and deliverables and evaluate project outcomes. Manage all aspects of Science Support Group including farms, labs and all associated resources. Implement processes to improve the productivity and effectiveness of Science Support operations. Ensure evaluation systems are developed, refined and implemented to improve the effectiveness of delivery. Ensure delivery of quality and Health and Safety from all subcontracted providers. Ensure that Science Support Operations are maintained in optimum condition that will enable science to be done with maximum efficiency at minimum cost. Animal welfare is managed and considered paramount. Long term sustainable land management and compliance with the Resource Management Act is considered at all times and evident in all operational decisions. Balance the science on farm with commercial farming programmes, maximising the use of the resource and returning profits equivalent to the respective district averages. Organise forums that enable all Science Support Managers to discuss freely and openly their operation, and their relationships with both internal and external clients, paying particular attention to suggested ways of improving the delivery of the services to these clients. Continually encourage and introduce, testing of and implementation Science Support Manager January 2015 2
of new technology throughout the Science Support Group. Ensure that all legislative requirements are met. Staff Leadership Lead the Science Support Group by: Providing dynamic leadership to the Science Support Group management team and Science Support staff. Clearly communicate the Board s vision and direction for DairyNZ, the strategic plans, DairyNZ s values, standards of performance required and ensure regular feedback is provided on progress. Managing staff, monitoring performance against plans and objectives and providing regular feedback. Supporting direct reports to be successful in their role. Through effective delegation, ensure the management and development of staff so that they are motivated, competent and well trained. Financial Management & Set, monitor, manage and report against budget within delegated Reporting authority, meeting agreed deliverables and being accountable for variations. Provide accurate and timely financial forecasts for projects/programmes of work in the Science Support Group. Manage contractor resources within allocated budget. Ensure overall and component budgets are allocated and managed responsibly and accurately. Undertake reporting to meet Board and organisational requirements as required. Manage Special Projects Manage projects required from time to time to develop or staff key assets required by the Research & Development Group. This could include working with partner organisations for shared facility development (i.e. Lincoln Hub, Southland Hub). How we work Support DairyNZ values and principles: Working Together, Leadership, Trusted, and Results Focussed. Understand and adhere to company policies and guidelines. Actively support and contribute to DairyNZ organisational culture of one team. Assist in aligning research, development, extension and education culture and strategy. Comply with and actively ensure safe working practices of self and others in accordance with DairyNZ Health and Safety Policies. Science Support Manager January 2015 3
Dimensions Operating Budget $8 million Revenue $9 million Number of Positions responsible for 5 Authorities Management Position Yes Delegated Authority $25,000 Key Relationships Internal Technical Teams Manager & Staff Farm Managers & Staff Research Resource Manager Research Scientists Finance Human Resources External Suppliers Industry Stakeholders (e.g. Fonterra) Key farmer leaders / informants External research clients (e.g. Animal Health companies) and Research & Development facility providers (e.g. Lincoln University, AgResearch) Science Support Manager January 2015 4
Competencies Job Specific/Technical Competencies Competency Development Project Management Relationship Management Clear Communicator Political Savvy Leadership Perspective Innovation Management Negotiating Standing Alone Descriptor/Evidence Can understand issues and identify appropriate solutions with an eye on improvement. Questions and undertakes analysis to understand best fit solutions. Can use various sources to research, analyse, design and deliver solutions, such as products, resources, services that effectively meet target audience needs and drive change and/or improvement. Understands behaviour and change theory and applies to solutions to ensure adoption. Uses project management methodology to enable effective delivery to milestones and deadlines. Plans and schedules project work effectively. Identifies and engages stakeholders and collaborates when appropriate. Able to successfully manage multiple stakeholder projects and programmes. Identifies key stakeholders and activity develops and manages relationships with them. Can utilise relationship to influence. Builds, manages and utilises networks. Articulates ideas and intentions clearly and succinctly. Is honest, tactful and diplomatic in interactions. Writes clearly and succinctly; can get messages across to have the desired effect. Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team, unit, and/or the organisation. Provides information so others can make accurate decisions; is timely with information. Can manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively and quietly; is sensitive to how people and organisations function; anticipates where the land mines are and plans his/her approach accordingly; views corporate politics as a necessary part of organisational life and works to adjust to that reality; is a mazebright person. Actively leads, inspires and motivates staff, providing challenging and stretching tasks, aids and contributes to compelling development plans and supports the execution of them. Proactively champions change. Develops personal profile and establishes credibility across the organisation. Demonstrates leadership within the industry. Looks toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge; has broad-ranging personal and business interest and pursuits; can easily pose future scenarios; can think globally; can discuss multiple aspects and impacts of issues and project them into the future. Is good at bringing the creative ideas of others to fruition; has good judgement about which creative ideas and suggestions will work; has a sense about managing the creative process of others; can facilitate effective brainstorming; can project how potential ideas may play out in practice. Can negotiate skilfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups; can settle differences with minimum noise; can win concessions without damaging relationships; can be direct and forceful as well as diplomatic; gains trust quickly of other parties to the negotiations; has a good sense of timing. Will stand up and be counted; doesn t shirk personal responsibility; can be counted on when times are tough; willing to be the only champion for an idea or Science Support Manager January 2015 5
Industry Peer Relationships Budget Management Collaboration I.T. Literacy Commitment to Health & Safety Dairy Farm Operation Knowledge of the Dairy Industry Knowledge of Research Methodologies position; is comfortable working alone on a tough assignment. Sufficient understanding and knowledge of the dairy industry to be able to successfully develop and deliver allocated programmes. Actively seeks to increase knowledge of the dairy industry. Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all; can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups; can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise; is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration; can be candid with peers. Is responsible in managing delegated budget and in assessing validity of costs. Raises budget issues with Development Team Manager. Actively seeks to collaborate. Can demonstrate successful collaborations. Collaborates when appropriate to do so. Influences with ability to generate cohesion and inspire collaboration within areas of influence. Capable of utilising all of MS Office suite to develop and deliver documentation and reporting of the required standard at a programme management level. Adheres and role models Health and Safety legislation requirements, SOP and training guidelines; maintains a tidy work environment and machinery is cared for to a high standard. Completes Incident / Accident / Near hit reports and communicates concerns openly. Listens to concerns of others, works together with team to action remedies and communicates to other groups that may benefit from shared learning Demonstrates leadership when it comes to safety and informally coaches other staff when poor behaviours are observed Understands, plans and maintains records pertaining to the seasonal farm activities impacting a large scale dairy farming operation, including calving, feed budgeting, grazing, cropping, fertiliser (nutrient management or planning?), repair and maintenance schedules and reproduction. Considers the impact of those activities on team members, the environment and resources, and plans accordingly to optimise results to enable research conditions to be met. Utilises farming software (such as NAIT, Minda and Farmax) to assist in the successful operation of the DairyNZ farms, and demonstrates a high level of competence in that management software. Demonstrates strong knowledge and ability in animal husbandry, effluent, environmental and people management, whilst ensuring compliance to legislation. Understands and maintains knowledge of the full range of domestic and international issues impacting on New Zealand s Dairy industry; Understanding of key legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to the Dairy industry; gains, maintains and builds on key relationships across the dairy industry to aid reliable information sources. Demonstrates, and teaches strong skills and understanding associated with key aspects of research development, planning and implementation. Role models the importance of data quality and integrity. Attends, contributes and is a valued member of the experimental planning meetings. Contributes to experimental proposals on technical matters. Scientists may seek input to trial design. Consults with project managers on methodology in project planning. May contribute to creation of ethics applications Science Support Manager January 2015 6
Is able to facilitate or provide resources in order to Conduct complex research studies to protocol design Develop new procedures and techniques, and innovative solutions to problems encountered in conduct of a study Make significant input into designing research protocols at experimental planning meetings Career Level Competencies Advanced Specialist Competency Decision Quality Developing Direct Reports & Others Delegation Keeping Others Informed Strategic Agility Negotiating Descriptor/Evidence Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement; most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions. Provides challenging and stretching tasks and assignments; holds frequent development discussions; is aware of each person s career goals; constructs compelling development plans and executes them; pushes people to accept developmental moves; will take on those who need help and further development; co-operates with the developmental system in the organisation; is a people builder. Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions; broadly shares both responsibility and accountability; tends to trust people to perform; lets direct reports and others finish their own work. Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team, unit, and/or the organisation; provides individuals information so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans. Can negotiate skilfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups; can settle differences with minimum noise; can win concessions without damaging relationships; can be both direct and forceful as well as diplomatic; gains trust quickly of other parties to the negotiations; has a good sense of timing. Science Support Manager January 2015 7
Person Specification Technical Success Factors & Qualification Requirements Essential A relevant tertiary qualification and/ or at least ten years agri-management experience with an understanding of New Zealand dairy farm systems and of the wide range of issues relevant to dairying in New Zealand Sound commercial orientation Project management experience Substantial experience in managing budgets Substantial networking and relationship building/management skills, working with a wide range of people with varying needs A proven history of delivering high quality work, on time and within budget Proven senior farm advisory experience across multi location farm operations Significant and effective staff management experience, with proven leadership that has resulted in high performing team/s Excellent communication and computer skills and experience Awareness of and the ability to understand and interpret legislation and practice/precedence as applicable to the position e.g. HR policies, Health and Safety, Animal Welfare, Land-use etc An understanding of the key performance statistics for farms and methodology to measure and monitor against these, including the issues of traceability and quality assurance schemes as they pertain to the farming industries. Excellent working knowledge of the desktop computing environment and up-to-date farm management software Working knowledge of ERMA and MAF Quarantine Legislation including reporting requirements Preferred A history of working with farmers to achieve positive change in farm business performance. Working knowledge of farm leasing agreements and the associated legal requirements Science Support Manager January 2015 8