Crop Protection Specialist

Job description

The ASR Group® family of companies make up the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®. ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane. All applications submitted must include the following: Cover letter Résumé Updated police record Two (2) reference letters Copies of recent transcripts The Crop Protection Specialist will be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving integrated crop protection programs that safeguard sugarcane productivity, crop health, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability. The role provides technical leadership in pest, disease, and weed management by ensuring timely field surveillance, accurate diagnosis, evidence-based control recommendations, responsible use of crop protection products, and clear reporting of risks, trends, and corrective actions. The Specialist works closely with Estate Operations, Grower Services, Research, field personnel, growers, contractors, and relevant external stakeholders to reduce production losses, strengthen compliance, improve decision-making, and support sustainable sugarcane production through practical science-based solutions and continuous innovation. Qualifications and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy, Plant Protection, Crop Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agriculture, or a related field. Minimum of five (5) years of experience in crop protection, agronomy, pest management, or agricultural research. Experience in sugarcane production systems preferred. Valid driver's license. Professional certifications related to pesticide management or crop protection would be an asset. Skills and Competencies : Strong knowledge of sugarcane pests, diseases, weeds, and integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Knowledge of pesticide application technologies, resistance management, and product stewardship. Familiarity with disease diagnostics, field scouting methodologies, and crop monitoring systems. Experience with data collection, statistical analysis, GIS platforms, and digital agriculture tools. Ability to interpret field observations and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare technical reports and presentations. Role s and Responsibilities: Develop, implement, review, and continuously improve integrated crop protection strategies to manage pests, diseases, and weeds affecting sugarcane production, using field data, crop health trends, product performance, resistance risks, and operational priorities to guide recommendations. Support the development of annual crop protection work plans aligned with agricultural productivity objectives, seasonal risk profiles, budget parameters, regulatory requirements, sustainability standards, and operational priorities. Design, coordinate, and evaluate surveillance programs for key sugarcane pests and diseases, including scouting schedules, sampling methods, reporting tools, threshold levels, escalation protocols, and follow-up actions. Conduct regular field inspections and crop health assessments to identify pests, disease, weed, and crop stress indicators, document findings, and recommend timely corrective actions. Develop and evaluate weed management programs. Monitor herbicide performance and advise on corrective actions. Design and implement crop protection trials and demonstrations. Evaluate pesticides, biological controls, and cultural management practices. Maintain records of pesticide evaluations and crop protection recommendations. All applications submitted must include the following and addressed to: Sr. Human Resources Manager Belize Sugar Industries Limited Tower Hill, Orange Walk Cover letter Résumé Updated police record Two (2) reference letters Copies of recent transcripts The deadline for submitting the applications and all required documents is August 17, 2026. For more than 100 years, our employees have taken pride in “Making Life a Little Sweeter” by providing our customers and consumers with quality service and sugar products. Our commitment to that principle drives us in all that we do and encourages us to uphold our company’s high ethical standards of business conduct to ensure our continued success.