Regional Director, Africa

 

Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. (www.fallcreeknursery.com) is the world's leading blueberry nursery stock and genetics company serving the commercial fruit industry worldwide.  Headquartered near Eugene Oregon USA, the family-owned company’s tradition of excellence has been a cornerstone throughout Fall Creek’s 40-year history. 

 

Fall Creek’s state-of-the-art propagation and growing facilities and innovative growing techniques ensure that we produce the healthiest and highest quality plants on the market. Our company has the industry's largest portfolio of leading varieties and continues to introduce new varieties from our private breeding program and breeding program partners. 

 

Our Mission

Cultivating exceptional plants, relationships and innovative

solutions to optimize customer success.

 

Opportunity

Fall Creek has wholly-owned nurseries in Mexico, Peru, Spain and The Netherlands with licensing relationships in many other parts of the world.  We are launching a new subsidiary in the Republic of South Africa to better serve our customers and have an immediate opportunity for an experienced executive to lead this venture.

 

Reporting Structure

The Regional Director, Africa reports to the President and is a member of our global Executive Management team who is responsible for planning and executing the strategic growth of our company. 

 

As Fall Creek’s Executive delegate in the region, the position leads the Africa Leadership Team. 

 

Position Overview

The Regional Director, Africa will be responsible for establishing operations in southern Africa, building strong customer relationships, promoting and protecting the Fall Creek brand, and producing quality products to maximize financial results throughout southern Africa.

 

This position collaborates with other executives as part of Fall Creek’s matrix organization and has frequent interactions with local institutions, government representatives, suppliers, customers, visitors and guests of Fall Creek.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for leading the development of strategy to meet goals set out in the strategic plan for southern Africa with the support of other Executive Management members. 

  • Develops the annual business plan for the southern Africa Region, deploying resources to support Fall Creek’s premier position as a quality partner in the supply chain, focused on customer success.

  • Responsible for establishing and developing the southern Africa team to support and enhance Fall Creek’s collaborative style and commitment to continuous improvement.

  • Coaches and develops managers and employees to improve job performance. Establishes and maintains good morale, motivation, and recognition of accomplishment in all employees.

  • Plays a leading role in the successful, compliant adoption of Fall Creek varieties in the region within the framework of the global intellectual property management and licensing platform.

  • Oversees the successful achievement of operational activities including new facility establishment, capital investments, and efficiency plans.

  • Works closely with the management team in the nursery to ensure the successful planning, propagation and production of brand-compliant plants.

  • Responsible for the annual budget for the subsidiary, ensuring compliance with established financial covenants.

  • Collaborates with fellow Executive Management members to ensure a seamless flow of information and support between both parent and the subsidiary company.

  • Represents the company at trade shows, industry meetings and related events. May speak on topics concerning the company and the industry.

  • Assures the highest level of confidentiality on sensitive matters concerning our customers and business.

  • Adheres to the standards set forth in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

  • Supports, perpetuates and enhances Fall Creek’s core values and corporate culture.

 

This position will also involve international travel.

 

Candidate Profile

The background of the ideal Regional Director, Africa candidate will include full regional P&L management experience within the produce industry, and we will value experience in nursery or fruit production.   In lieu of this specific industry experience, candidates must possess background in the fresh or perishables industry, which may include general agriculture, dairy or livestock, vegetable or flower production, or similar.  It is expected that candidates will possess knowledge of intellectual property licensing, rules and laws. Further all candidates for this coveted position must demonstrate deep understanding of African markets, as well as significant understanding, exposure and/or direct experience of global markets. 

 

Other Requirements

  • Requires a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, management, international business or related field.  A Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field is preferred.

  • 15-20+ years progressive management experience, including 5+ years executive - level/international management with full P&L responsibility.

  • Demonstrated success in leading and developing a professional team.

  • Demonstrated ability to plan, budget, forecast, and perform financial analysis.

  • Demonstrated collaboration, problem solving and negotiation skills.

  • Effective oral and written communication skills; ability to adjust message to all audiences and all levels of the organization. 

  • Ability to effectively present information in formal and informal settings to employees, peers, customers and industry leaders.

  • Requires good judgment and effective decision-making skills and the ability to positively influence and build consensus amongst team members.

  • Ability to develop clear action plans and drive processes with many interdependencies.

  • Demonstrated positive track record of building strategic relationships in a multicultural environment.

 

Executive Competencies

Business Insight                      Decision Quality

Balances Stakeholders            Drives Engagement

Instills Trust                             Global Perspective

Strategic Mindset                    Drives Results

 

For consideration as a candidate, please contact in confidence:

Trudy Hylemon

Director of Talent Acquisition

Trudyh@fallcreeknursery.com