R&D Technical Manager�

AgroFresh•Visalia, CA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

Imagine a world with less food waste and stronger, more sustainable produce businesses. Where consumers everywhere have even more abundant and delicious produce options. This is our singular focus at AgroFresh and what inspires our colleagues every day. AgroFresh is an AgTech innovator and global leader with a mission to prevent food loss/waste and conserve the planet’s resources by providing a range of science-based solutions, digital technologies, and high-touch customer services. In a world fraught with climate change and shrinking natural resources, we partner with growers, packers, and retailers bringing solutions across the food supply chain to enhance the quality and extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The AgroFresh organization has 40 years of post-harvest experience across a broad range of crops, including pome fruit (apples/pears), citrus, avocados, and mangoes – and we continue to expand into new countries and crops and pre-harvest.

Requirements

Advanced degree or relevant experience in a relevant scientific discipline, such as plant physiology, horticulture, agronomy, or plant pathology – experience in specialty crops. MS or PhD preferred.
5+ years of experience preferred
Ability to travel within the assigned region and sometimes internationally
Prior project management experience with a PM certification a plus
Extensive knowledge of California and Southwestern U.S. crops, including production practices, postharvest handling, storage, packaging, and transportation
Demonstrated expertise in designing, executing, and analyzing preharvest and postharvest research trials involving plant growth regulators, fungicides, sanitizers, coatings, and other crop management solutions
Collaborated closely with the commercial team to plan and execute customer demonstrations, collect and analyze data, and present findings to both internal and external stakeholders.
Experience developing and communicating compelling value propositions, utilizing technical and economic data to demonstrate product benefits and return on investment
Strong ability to establish, cultivate, and leverage relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), growers, packers, shippers, and customers
Comprehensive understanding of efficacy data requirements and regulatory expectations for crop protection product registrations
Advanced data analysis capabilities, with expertise in experimental design, statistical analysis, and agricultural research management; experience with ARM (Agricultural Research Manager) software is highly desirable
Broad knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive landscapes, and developments across academia, research institutions, and commercial organizations
Excellent interpersonal, networking, and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and drive collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and scientific communication skills
Well-developed commercial acumen, with experience partnering effectively with sales, marketing, and business development teams
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, ethics, and professional integrity
Knowledge of California and Southwest USA crops – their production, storage, packaging and transport
Understanding of efficacy data requirements for California DPT submission and demonstrated ability to plan, execute and summarize data from efficacy trials for submissions
Experience in the design, conduct and analysis of pre and post - harvest plant growth regulator as well as post - harvest fungicide trials
Experience in the development and validation of new application methods

Responsibilities

Build annual plans and budgets for biology work aligned with project scope and timelines.
Set biology work objectives aligned with project milestones and build protocols to meet objectives.
Work with Outcomes Research and Marketing to ensure protocols generate data to support target value propositions and generate data for economic benefits calculations.
Implement and monitor trial programs in close collaboration with internal laboratories, external Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and University resources.
Analyze, summarize, and present data; make sound recommendations based on data to expand and support the business.
Develop data summaries and coordinate biological assessment dossier creation with CROs.
Work with Business Development to evaluate external opportunities, providing input on product performance and competitive positioning.
Develop technical material (presentations, bulletins, etc.) for new products or use patterns to support internal training and commercialization.
Interface with Technical Sales Representatives at appropriate project stages (pre-launch/launch) to ensure successful technical handover of new product or use patterns in preparation for commercialization.
Build and maintain relationships with KOLs to enhance AgroFresh position within the industry.
Plan and implement activities with KOLs to support both development projects and existing commercial products aligned with commercial priorities.
Monitor research areas and identify new growth opportunities.