Innovation Manager

To facilitate ongoing forecasted growth across all sites in the Mort and Co brand, we are currently looking for an Innovation Manager to expand our current Research and Development functionality in our Projects and Innovation team based at our Toowoomba Head Office. This full-time role is a phenomenal opportunity to join an award winning, recognised industry leader in the agricultural sector. Reporting to the General Manager - Projects and Innovation, you will lead innovation across the Mort & Co Group whilst driving rapid ideation and commercial implementation of internal and external customer-led initiatives. The incumbent for role will be responsible for the development of an innovation culture across the business while driving strong, innovative, and next generation solutions across the Mort & Co Group including but not limited to; Animal health, Nutrition, Genetics, Safety, Robotics and Automation, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (Ai) initiatives, New Product (NPD) and new process development. Applicants with previous experience in the above-mentioned fields of expertise will be highly regarded.

**About Us**:
Mort & Co is a revolutionary agricultural company that supports many state-of-the-art facilities across its network that contribute to the vertical supply food chain for which we have grown from the ground up over 25 years in the agricultural industry. Mort and Co prides itself on its inclusive companywide culture, the highest stringent standards in animal welfare and being a true industry leader in agriculture. Grow with us, be part of our story.

**Benefits**:

- Competitive salary based on experience of the applicant.
- Work in a dynamic environment with a high performing Projects and Innovations team who are experts in their field.
- Be part of the team responsible for all current and future projects forecasted in the growth of Mort & Co.
- An opportunity to be part of a workplace culture that fosters continuous improvement and innovation.

**Functions**:

- Determining, implementing, and monitoring Innovation strategies, policies, and plans.
- Developing and implementing research projects, priorities, and targets to support commercial and policy developments.
- Leading major innovation projects and coordinating activities of other innovations/projects in the business.
- Assessing the benefits and monitoring the costs and effectiveness of innovation, budgeting and cost forecasting of innovation initiatives or research programs.
- Interpreting results of research projects and recommending associated product and service development innovations.
- Providing advice on research and development options available to the organisation and publishing results of significant research projects.
- Monitoring leading-edge developments in relevant disciplines and assessing implications for the organisation.
- Report to senior management on company product technical issues as well as technical developments within the market.
- Complete work as required and associated with all or individual components of a typical project lifecycle to enable efficient and successful project completion, including:

- Concepts research, modelling and evaluation
- Definition of final concept and scope
- Preparation of capital requests
- Works component planning structure
- Detailed design, tender and detailed costing
- Work orders and vendor arrangements
- Works delivery and budget control
- Works implementation and handover
- Review and follow-up
- Management and mentorship of the Innovation team.
- Undertake all operations safely and in accordance with Mort & Co Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) requirements and Mort & Co values and commitments.

**Requirements**:
**Highly regarded**
- Experienced and degree qualified in at least one of the following STEM types disciplines;
- Animal health & Nutrition, including ruminant microbiology, bovine health, and genetics
- Engineering, including Mechanical, Electrical, mechatronics, robotics, and automation
- Information and Communications Technology, including Data science and Artificial Intelligence
- Post graduate qualification of Masters or PhD.
- Advanced communication skills across a diverse group of internal/external stakeholders.
- Research & Development (Innovation) project and management experience.

**Mandatory**
- Awareness of applicable compliance requirements.
- Medium to high computer literacy.
- Advanced interpersonal relationship building skills.
- Management experience in a team-oriented workplace.
- Advanced organisational skills.
- Advanced record keeping and data processing skills.