JOB DESCRIPTION: 

Technical Support & Development Manager - Central California

Are you passionate about agriculture?

Are you passionate about minimizing food waste?

Are you highly engaged as a plant scientist in some way shape or form?

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Our client is dedicated to improving produce freshness, advancing sustainability, and reducing food waste by supplying consolidated solutions from field to market. Collaborating closely with their customers, they continually research and develop unparalleled solutions that benefit the entire supply chain, and improve the quality of life for all.

Are you aware that approximately 33% of the food we grow ends up in a landfill, with 50% of that being fruit and vegetables?

Imagine a world with less food waste, stronger and more sustainable produce businesses, and even more abundant and delicious produce options for consumers everywhere--that is the focus of our client. They have over 40 years of post-harvest experience a broad range of crops, including pome fruit (apples/pears), citrus, avocados, mangoes, berries, nuts, etc.

Ultimately, our client is looking for a tech-minded, field-wise ag professional who can lead and manage the technical support activities throughout the Central Valley of California. This role is for someone well versed in the plant sciences world (agronomist, chemist, soil scientist, horticulturist, botanist, plant pathologist or physiologist, etc) who can talk through the product, support the activities of the account managers, identify business, and troubleshoot problems and offer solutions along the way. This role is understanding and promoting how and why this technology is an indispensable plug-in that will maximize yields and profits. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide direct technical support to sales and customers in the use of our client’s products including, but not limited to product education, product application, product demonstration and grower trials and evaluations.

  • Summarize data and develop marketing collateral, in close cooperation with Sales, Marketing and R&D teams.

  • Build relationships with key customers to identify market gaps and opportunities and co-create solutions that are in-line with the company strategy guidelines. 

  • Provide on-ground intelligence and knowledge to regulatory and R&D teams necessary to develop and register new products as well as to Marketing and Sales teams on competitor products, technology trends and new opportunities

  • Technical evaluation and study of competitive products from the technical perspective to support the sales and marketing teams.

  • Conduct research on assigned projects using working knowledge of scientific principles, theory, and experimental design and generate sound research data, interpretation of results and data handling.

  • Support label expansion and new product label development.

  • Share local knowledge and information from your region throughout the North American, as well as Global organizations, as relevant.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields and/or in depth knowledge of crop production, post-harvest applications, and storage of specialty crops within the region, with particular focus on Pome Fruit and Berry crops. Direct experience in these areas highly desirable

  • Post harvest experience ideal

  • 7+ years experience working in relevant AgroSciences and/or Agriculture 

  • Local travel by car 75%

  • Current PCA (Pest Control Advisor) License

  • Strong data management skills

  • Strong personal leadership with initiatives

  • Commitment to follow-through and execute.

  • Aptitude in critical thinking, creativity, hands-on, and attention to details.

  • Great interpersonal skills by being open-minded and collaborative team player.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Effective in MS Office uses and basic math calculations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

  • Competitive compensation - $90K to $130K, with bonus potential from 10% to 15%

  • Full benefit package: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental insurance

  • Paid vacation, personal days, sick time, and holidays

  • 401(k) with employer matching

  • Tuition Reimbursement Program

  • Cell phone provided or reimbursed

  • Company car, Laptop provided along with other home office needs

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply directly by clicking the “Apply” button below

If for some reason you are not comfortable with doing so, please email us directly at: info@agheadhunters.com

KEYWORDS:

sales, agricultural sales, food sales, agtech, foodtech, inputs, farm, apples, pears, orchards, berries, pome fruit, stone fruit, food shipping, food packaging, food storage, harvest, shelf life extension, food waste, sustainability, fungicide, herbicide, coatings, food loss, waste reduction, freshness, supply chain, field trials, technical support, research and development, R&D

EEOC STATEMENT:

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We are also committed to diversity and helping to create an inclusive environment for our clients. If you can do this job you will not be denied consideration.