There are several exciting career opportunities available in the agri-sector at present, with a range of skillsets and experiences catered for.

To learn more about the jobs previewed in this article, including essential requirements and how to apply, visit Agriland Media’s agri-sector recruitment platform AgriRecruit.

The Irish Charolais Cattle Society Ltd. is currently inviting applications for the role of breed secretary within the society. This is a full-time, permanent, hybrid role with an office based in Johnstown, Co. Kildare.  

The ideal candidate is an energetic and enthusiastic person, with good business acumen, excellent communication and planning skills, prepared to work flexible hours. Good knowledge of cattle breeding is essential.

Whilst overseeing the day-to-day running of the society, the breed secretary will also conduct:

Communicate with and advise breeders on day-to-day queries;
Identify and implement marketing campaigns through various platforms;
Advise breeders on breeding decisions;
Maintain and upkeep the society’s herd book;
Implement the society’s breeding programme and rules along with council decisions;
Organise and attend events and meetings on behalf of the society;
Write up reports following society shows, sales and events;
Run and update the society’s website and social media platforms.

Relevant experience is a pre-requisite for this role. Candidates must have a good understanding of pedigree cattle breeding, genetics, and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Eurostar indexes, and must be willing to travel and show flexibility surrounding events.

Supplier of dairy genetics and herd improvement services and products, Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is looking for an experienced genetics development manager.

The successful applicant based in Ireland will be responsible for selling LIC’s genetics to achieve sales targets, manage LIC Ireland’s Irish Bull Breeding (IBB) scheme and nucleus herd.  

Further responsibilities of the genetics development manager include:

Developing and maintaining strong relationships with LIC's current partner in Ireland, Eurogene, supporting them to achieve targets, while also identifying opportunities to grow LIC sales in that market;
Ensuring educational and promotional initiatives are undertaken with farmers and partners in market to drive understanding of the value proposition of LIC’s world leading genetics;
Work with GM Europe and members of the LIC Europe team on suitable bull team offerings for Ireland, as well as business development opportunities.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to effectively converse with farmers and have affinity for and knowledge of numerous international dairy industries, in particular Ireland and New Zealand.  

Reporting directly to GM Europe, the genetics development manager will need to demonstrate an understanding of LIC’s valuation proposition, have a high level of understanding of or experience in the bovine artificial breeding industry, including knowledge of pedigrees and experience with animal evaluation data.

The Organic Trust, Ireland’s organic inspection and certification organisation, is currently hiring for a certification officer reporting directly to the certification team leader.

This is a full-time permanent position and the successful applicant will work from the company’s head offices in Naas, Co. Kildare.

The certification officer will work with the inspection and certification team and in tandem with other certification officers. Responsibilities of this position will include:

Manage the organic inspection and certification process from A to Z;
Administer respective membership files on a day-to-day basis, manage communication, prepare detail for certification panel (CP) meetings, and follow up on all compliance issues;
Coordinate, observe and, if appropriate, facilitate CP meetings;
Coordinate inspector meetings and the agenda for same in conjunction with the certification team leader, CEO and quality manager;
Prepare for and be a part of all internal and external audits;
Carry out all reporting requirements of external bodies/parties;
Processing of new member applications and the lapsing of others;
Administer the annual return process and management of member renewals;
Allocations of inspections and sampling in accordance with the requirements of the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the EU regulations.

The successful candidate will also be a point of contact for ca. 500 Organic Trust members, and will provide the highest level of customer support for all email and phone queries received.

This role will require excellent communication and customer service skills. Knowledge of or experience within certification and a qualification in agriculture and experience in the organic sector is preferred.