Farm Sustainability Development Advisor

Tirlán, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

Tirlán owns leading brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition.

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of circa €3 billion, and circa 2,000 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile

An exciting opportunity has become available in Tirlán. Reporting to the Head of Agri-Sustainability, the primary function of the Farm Sustainability Development Advisor is the provision of technical guidance towards the adoption of best sustainability practice on Tirlán farm family suppliers’ farms. Working in collaboration with the other Tirlán colleagues, this will include supporting the delivery of enhanced economic sustainability, air and water quality improvements, GHG emissions reductions in addition to biodiversity and energy efficiency initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the agreed business plans, including the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme and Farming For Water EIP, as part of an area-based team
• Use a range of effective advisory methodologies including one to one support, public events and media as part of a team to achieve improvements in farmers environmental sustainability.
• Engage with farmers located in ‘challenged’ catchments to identify corrective actions and submit funding applications to address the challenges
• Support farmers in planning for and implementing on-farm actions to reduce environmental impacts
• Support and facilitate groups of farmers in the impacted catchments
• Liaise with other groups which are established with the objective of enhancing economic and environmental sustainability and community engagement.
• Support, organise and deliver local dissemination events such as farm walks and meetings and media outputs
• Deliver agreed programmes aimed at supporting farmers to address on-farm sustainability challenges
• Assist in developing knowledge transfer initiatives and provide regular updates to senior management on key matters in this area
• Act as an effective conduit to the latest thinking and methods that may give farmers a competitive edge or sustain their viability
• Any other ad-hoc duties as required

Requirements

• Third level degree or masters in a relevant discipline
• Applicants must have expert agricultural knowledge and demonstrate how they stay abreast of current best practices and research 
• Strong relevant technical agronomy & sustainability knowledge and experience of working with farmers, with the ability to identify and shape the best practical applications of this knowledge in order to enhance the capabilities of farms & other enterprises
• Excellent interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a collaborative working environment
• Strong communication skills, including ability to deliver technical presentations to various audiences
• Strategic agility and a drive to achieve results
• Experience in planning of farm buildings and slurry / effluent facilities desirable
• Completing fertiliser and/or nutrient management plans is advantageous

We offer

• Hybrid working (flex Fridays)
• Free parking incl. EV charging – where applicable
• On-site gym free to use for employees
• Parenting room
• Work/life balance and collaborative work culture
• Career progression opportunities