Description

Responsible for the development and execution of the product pipeline development based on company's overall business goals, market dynamics and trends, whilst managing the current portfolio of products.

Develop products by identifying potential products both internally and externally, coordinate product testing, determining product requirements and specifications, and time-integrated plans for product introduction.

Responsible for the product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, and working closely with research, development, and sales to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met. 

Improve the product's contribution to the business, assist in the development of competitive products and increase the profitability of existing products. Help develop new ideas based on contacts with current and prospective customers.

Requirements

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Product Development

• Ensure growth with innovation, by developing new concepts and new products with value-added traits in collaboration with breeders, development & sales teams.
• Coordinate product testing and sample distribution with the global commercial teams. 

· Develop trial seed and distribution process to support product development.
· Identify, develop, and manage non-traditional business opportunities through B2B partners.

• Coordinate and manage the In- and Out-sourcing activities to increase revenue and address product pipeline gaps.
• Maintain and execute testing and commercial agreements.

Pipeline Management

• Manage product life cycle and range with the objective of optimizing turnover and margin, through supply chain expectations, sales potential evaluation and product pricing guidance.
• Lead cross-functional product advancement teams and collaborate with the commercial teams to manage new product introductions in accordance with the product      features, advantages and benefits, the strengths and weaknesses of existing product range, seed inventory, and competitive landscape.
• Manage and maintain product and market information in company databases. Maintain appropriate product tools and technical data sheets to support commercial development.      
• Work with Seed Production team to manage seed availability effectively and efficiently for varieties at the development (pre-commercial) and introduction stages.

Position Dimensions and Qualifications

Internal Contacts:

Direct contact with CEOs; General Managers, Sales, Customer Service, Product Development, Seed Production, QA, Finance, Business Operations, and Plant Breeders.

External Contacts:

Breeding Companies, Customers, Vendors, Universities and Government institutions.

Educational Level and Focus:

Profile:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Agriculture or related field required with a minimum of five years of commercial experience. Master’s degree preferred. 

Skills and Abilities:      

Interpersonal: Providing information to department managers, supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them at all times. Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Managing ones owns time and the time of others. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate. 

Communication: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand and to speak clearly so others can understand you. The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person and to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and react to solve the problem or present a solution. 

Technical and Analytical:

Knowledge of: Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Outlook, power point. Analytical mind to recognize and understand available technology to use in development of new products. Requires great attention to detail. Analytical mind to examine the problem and look for different ways of solving it. Be able to develop detailed project schedules and foresee potential problems and solutions. Able to use basic computer software and perform analytical analysis to obtain the expected results. Knowledge of agricultural agronomics, plant nutrient requirements, irrigation scheduling, pest identification and management and cultural operations. 

Administrative and Operations:

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and production methods. Work with budgets and maintain within approved spend levels. Ability to work in stressful environment and meet deadlines.

Physical Demands:

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations and working over a number of hours in one week. Must be able to work in the office and fields/greenhouses under extreme weather conditions, be physically fit to walk, bend, kneel, squat, bend your neck and lift up to 50 lbs. Be willing to travel up to 90% of the time and drive a vehicle for extended periods of time.

Work Environment:

Office, outdoor and greenhouse work with temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more,  walk on uneven surface, dusty conditions and often be exposed to chemicals.

Special Equipment Used:

Using computers and computer systems (software) to set up functions, enter data, track or process information. Laboratory equipment, tractors and agricultural implements, pesticide application equipment.

Application

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