Technical Lead, Farm of the Future

Position Title: Technical Lead, Farm of the Future 

Position Type: Regular – Full-Time 

Position Location: Florenceville Main 

Requisition ID: 35500 

Reporting to the Manager of Farm of the Future, the Research and Technology Lead is responsible for deploying cutting-edge technologies and advancing innovative research to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. This role requires staying current with emerging agricultural technologies and applying this expertise to improve crop production and operational efficiency through smart technology adoption and regenerative farming practices. The Research and Technology Lead will be skilled in a range of advanced tools, including digital machinery technologies such as ISOBUS, GIS and GPS systems, remote sensing technologies, precision agriculture applications, geospatial data analysis, yield prediction tools, and pest and disease decision support systems. Responsibilities include overseeing deployment and support of advanced machinery and technologies including autonomous farm equipment, variable-rate technologies for the applications of water, nutrients, and pesticides, as well as initiatives to improve soil health and crop quality management. This role involves supporting on-farm research and knowledge transfer to growers, empowering them to increase efficiency and adopt sustainable practices in crop production.

Qualifications

Minimum to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Individual must regularly lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary Of Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, or Diploma in Agriculture Technology, or a related field, with a combination of relevant education and experience.
• A master’s degree will be considered an asset.
• Must be highly self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to initiate tasks independently and possesses a keen aptitude for continuous learning and development.
• Knowledge of machinery, emerging agricultural technologies, and computer programming languages—preferably open-source, such as Python—as well as experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, QGIS, and innovation management software.
• Knowledge of field layouts, experimental design, and research data analysis
• Passion to conduct innovative research, learn new technologies, and develop new skills.
• Experience with potato production is an asset
• Attention to detail, dependability, a positive attitude and ability to work well both independently and within a team environment

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Include The Following:

• Develop and implement automated systems to capture data related to farm operations at the field level, including machinery usage, fuel consumption, labor hours, equipment maintenance, and parts inventory.
• Collaborate with farm staff to streamline on-farm data capture processes and support any necessary tools to provide operational insights to staff.
• Oversee the integration of smart technologies, including software setup, equipment installations, calibrations, and troubleshooting, ensuring that all equipment and technology are ready for timely operations.
• Lead precision agriculture data collection, management, analysis, and reporting to support operational decisions, with a focus on automating data collection for enhanced accuracy and efficiency.
• Prepare detailed field maps, set GPS points for accurate sample collection, and maintain comprehensive field activity histories using GIS technology.
• Supporting key farm operations, including seed sizing, planting, and harvesting, by focusing on technology automation and data collection, ensuring accurate data capture and effective use of technology.
• Stay informed about global advancements in agricultural technology and potato research to evaluate and integrate relevant innovations into farm operations.
• Provide technical solutions to address operational challenges, from seed cutting and seed treatment to spraying, harvesting, and storage management, implementing alerts to maintain optimal storage conditions while supporting sustainable farming practices.
• Ensure a strong commitment to safety for both personal and team-wide protection during all activities. Collaborate with the Lead Safety Coordinator to implement safety-related apps, tools, and protocols.
• Collaborate with Global Manager of Research and Innovation to ensure successful execution of research projects. Will serve as the on-farm point of contact for outside research partners.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Employee will be required to perform duties in an agricultural setting to include potato fields and potato storages.
• Employee is expected to be open to workday with mixture of both indoor and outdoor work
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and telephone keyboard and talk or hear.
• Requires visual acuity to focus on desktop and/or laptop computer screen.
• Requires standing and sitting for prolonged periods of time, talking and listening.
• Work demands may fluctuate seasonally related to farming cycles, especially during planting and harvesting.

About McCain. 

At McCain, we’re feeding the world: from French fries to cakes, we contribute to the important role food plays in people’s lives. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring our core values—Family, Authentic, Trusted, and Quality—shine through every day. As a privately owned family company with over 60 years of experience, a presence in more than 160 countries, and a global team of 22,000 people, our values and culture are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that we can work together, along with our business and community partners, to bring sustainable growth and positive change today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Join us and see how you can MAKE IT at McCain!

Leadership Principles.

Our principles, each with related practices, guide our actions across the organization. Together, they address how McCain interacts with our customers and employees, and how we work as individuals and collectively to find success. While each role adheres to the Leadership Principles, individual roles may focus more on a specific principle or principles.

We are customer obsessed. Customers are our starting point. By understanding their needs and leveraging data and consumer insights, we drive mutual success.

We think big and plan ahead. Through ambition, curiosity, and smart risks, we can accomplish goals, refine processes, and innovate to scale success.

We bring out the best in our people. We create safe spaces for our people so that trust and empowerment come naturally. Inclusion is about listening first, showing humility, and working together.

We act like owners. Together, we clear obstacles and do the work that makes us all successful and proud to be part of McCain.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain: this statement is about our power collectively and our importance individually—your impact is a significant part of the business. Our winning culture focuses on authenticity and trust so we can always bring out the best in our people. Here, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive while being yourself. Join our team to see why we’re better together.

#LI-MCCAIN25

#ComeGrowWithUS

Compensation Package: $81,600.00 – $108,900.00 CAD annually + bonus eligibility 

The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education/training, and other organizational needs.

Benefits: At McCain, we’re on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and wellbeing at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person’s needs are unique and ensure our benefits & wellbeing programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Wellbeing programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned to country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit details available during the application process.

Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. 

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Privacy Policy 

Job Family: Agriculture 

Division: Global Agriculture 

Department: Global Ag Sustainability 

Location(s): CA – Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol 

Company: McCain Foods (Canada) 

Read Full Description