Business Manager

Business Manager
Business Management (Partnerships & Growth)
Location: one of: Mt Albert - Auckland, Ruakura - Hamilton, or Te Puke New Zealand *
Vacancy number: 57759
Fixed term - parental leave cover (fixed term to end of February 2026)

Are you a commercially minded and enjoy bringing concepts/ideas to life as commercial propositions/funding proposals?
Our Business Managers work with our external partners and our science teams to identify and build research projects that address a known need or problem. They contribute to the success and profitability of Plant & Food Research and our commercial partners by effectively co-ordinating and supporting these R&D programmes to ensure delivery of R&D outputs on time and within budgets.

**What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua**

You will be maintaining effective industry-research relationships; working with project leaders and customers to develop proposals and secure R&D projects, with appropriate work plans, budgets and contracts; and helping customers to identify and obtain external funding, or co-funding, to leverage their R&D investments.

Some of the key deliverables will be:

- Developing great customer and industry partnerships through working on PFR Key Account Manager (KAM) principles: Supporting technical teams in areas such as bioengineering, data sciences, or climate change modelling and supporting bids and proposals in technical and science fields.
- Ensure that corporate legal and commercial requirements are embedded in new proposals so that rapid approval of new business deals is gained from the General Manager, Business Management and the General Managers of Science.
- Assist the General Manager, Business Management and the General Managers of Science, Operations Manager, Science Group Leaders, customers and collaborators with the development of business cases to achieve long-term growth targets for PFR and its customers.
- Leading the identification and development of new business opportunities and clients, in association with relevant internal stakeholders.

**What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako**
- A tertiary qualification and experience in food science, technology or engineering with significant experience in business, marketing or a related discipline OR a tertiary business or management degree with significant experience working in food science or technology businesses.
- Proven business and commercial skills, including an established record of success in preparing funding proposals and managing science or technology development programs.
- Proven skills in customer relationship management, ideally within New Zealand's food, horticulture, and biological industries.
- Knowledge of New Zealand's science and innovation system, ideally including some experience in international business with government entities.
- Familiarity with the New Zealand Food and Beverage Industry, and horticulture at a structural, operational and strategic level.'

A copy of the Position Description of each role is available for you to view once you click on the 'apply' button.

**What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga**

The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment at one of our key sites, Mt Albert Research Centre. You will be part of an established team where you will contribute to exciting commercial projects with an organisation that has an excellent reputation for its science and impact
- Work within a friendly, team-based environment
- Additional 6 days leave and generous paid parental leave
- Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave
- Ongoing career development opportunities
- Flexible work - work from home and flexible hours possibilities
- The option of subsidised health insurance and additional employer superannuation contribution
- If Auckland based, onsite childcare and subsidised cafeteria/other location benefits.

**About us | Ko wai mātou**

At Plant & Food Research, Rangahau Ahumāra Kai, we believe science can create a better future. By finding smarter, greener options today, we're helping secure the world we want to live in tomorrow. With our partners, we use world-leading science and technology to improve the way they grow, fish, harvest, create, prepare and share kai. We have 1000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world to help develop and deliver healthy foods from the world's most sustainable food systems. We are on our journey towards becoming a meaningful and trusted partner to Māori, promoting the weaving of Mātauranga Māori and science to create growth and success for all of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

In January the Government announced the planned formation of a new bio-economy-focused Public Research Organisation. Plant & Food Research will be joining together with AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and Scion to form this new entity.

Plant & Food Research is well positioned to adapt to this change and make the most of the opportunities that it will off