OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS:
Title: Technical Support & Development Manager, Michigan
Are you passionate about agriculture?
Are you passionate about minimizing food waste?
Are you highly engaged as a plant professional in some way shape or form?
Are you passionate about agriculture--and the companies producing the commodities that feed, clothe, and fuel the world?
Are you a motivated, curious, self-starter interested in being a part of an established brand on the grow?
Are you excited about the future of ag tech and the potential of smart technology?
Are you aware that approximately 33% of the food we grow ends up in a landfill, with 50% of that being fruit and vegetables? What if you could help change that?
Are you ready for the unique challenge of helping farmers, packers, and retailers understand and adopt sustainable ag technology designed to help extend the life of the food they produce, package, and sell?
AgroFresh Solutions is a fast-moving, dynamic company dedicated to improving produce freshness, advancing sustainability, and reducing food waste by delivering integrated solutions every step of the way 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.
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 at AgroFresh. Learn more about what drives them and the ways they’re making a real difference for customers and the world. https://www.agrofresh.com/
AgroFresh’s mission:
Imagine a future with less food loss. More freshness and quality, every step of the way from field to market. And even more abundant produce options for consumers.
Why is this beneficial for you?
Farming is evolving and agtech is playing an integral role. Technology helps producers manage their crops better now than at any other point in human history. Every trend points to the continued development and implementation of technology aimed at extending the shelf life of food and reducing waste throughout the farm-to-fork supply chain. The advancement of pre-harvest, near-harvest, and post-harvest application technology has led to a paradigm shift in yield quality, food preservation, and waste reduction. These emerging technologies need ag professionals who understand the world of farming and are ready to embrace the future (NOW!) of sustainable agriculture.
As farming and technology intertwine, a major goal is to merge the science of high-yield harvest management with sustainable post-harvest storage solutions--AgroFresh has made this goal a reality. AgroFresh’s end-to-end, integrated technologies help growers, packers, and retailers utilize their considerable knowledge and experience across a growing range of produce industry markets and applications.
For growers, our client’s Smarter Freshness solutions help the fruit achieve optimal maturity for harvest. For packers and distributors, it means smarter ways to safeguard, boost capacity, and improve customer packout. And for retailers, AgroFresh’s integrated solutions will help deliver the freshest, most delectable produce on the shelves–for a consumer experience that keeps them coming back.
If you are passionate about ag and reducing food waste, this could be exactly the right opportunity to build something special with a company who continues to expand their market presence.
COMPANY INFORMATION:
Founded in 1996, AgroFresh is a publicly traded, global leader in food preservation and waste reduction headquartered in Philadelphia, PA (AGFS on the Nasdaq). AgroFresh is founded on the implementation of 1-MCP technology, keeping produce fresh during storage and transport by temporarily blocking the production and absorption of ethylene–the natural plant hormone generated internally that governs the speed at which quality and freshness are lost.
Recently, the inventors of 1-MCP technology were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Click the two links below to learn more:
AgroFresh brings scientific expertise and first-class customer service to the farm gate and the packing house. Your contribution will drive the market expansion and fast adoption of AgroFresh’s vision to help shape the future of sustainable produce.
AgroFresh uses Smarter Freshness science to improve longevity in produce throughout the farm-to-fork cycle. Their products include:
Near-harvest: chemical treatments and fruit monitoring software
Post-harvest: quality control during transport and storage
Retail: quality inspection and monitoring
Check out the product set to get a sense of how it all works:
https://www.agrofresh.com/solutions/
LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Clinton Lewis - Chief Executive Officer - LinkedIn Page
Michael Hamby - Chief Commercial Officer - LinkedIn Page
Duncan Aust - Chief Technology Officer - LinkedIn Page
Jim Spadafora - Global Product Development Director - LinkedIn Page
Here’s a recent Forbes article featuring an interview with Clinton Lewis about the importance of food preservation and AgroFresh’s place in the market: https://aghh.tiny.us/Forbes
THE ROLE:
AgroFresh is currently seeking to add a Technical Support & Development Manager to cover Michigan. This position is ideally suited to individuals who are motivated to be a part of novel and innovative solutions for the fresh produce industry.
As a Technical Support & Development Manager, you will be responsible for helping to identify customer’s needs and bring innovative solutions to them using the current portfolio. The Technical Support and Development Manager is a critical member of the AgroFresh team, supporting commercial efforts to educate on, promote, steward AgroFresh products, as well as identify and expand our growing portfolio of solutions to our customer base.
This role interfaces directly with our customers, sales, marketing, and R&D teams and is the primary technical resource for Michigan, Wisconsin and western New York state (with the vast majority of work in Michigan). This is a non-sales, customer-facing role where outstanding interpersonal skills, local knowledge, contacts, and commercial acumen is essential–as well as a strong technical background.
Ultimately, ArgoFresh is looking for a tech-minded, orchard-wise ag professional who can become a brand evangelist and lead the technical support activities throughout the region. Someone who can walk and talk through the product, support the activities of the account managers, help identify business, and troubleshoot problems. This role is understanding and promoting how and why this technology is an indispensable plug-in that will maximize yields and profits. Job responsibilities and qualifications include:
Provide direct technical support to sales and customers in the use of AgroFresh products including, but not limited to product education, product application, product demonstration 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.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields and/or in depth knowledge of crop production, post-harvest applications, agronomy, plant science, etc.
Direct experience with apples, cherries and vegetable crops grown regionally is ideal.
3+ years experience working in relevant AgroSciences and/or Agriculture
Local travel by car, up to 75% as needed (with Account Managers to grower, packers and shippers)
Strong data management skills
Strong personal leadership with initiatives and 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.
Proof of Covid 19 vaccination
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Market competitive compensation:
Base pay range from $80,000 to $120,000
Plus, annual bonus set at 10% of base salary
Plus, vehicle provided that is available for personal use as well
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
Laptop provided along with other home office needs
KEYWORDS
sales, agricultural sales, food sales, agtech, foodtech, inputs, farm, apples, pears, orchards, berries, pome fruit, stone fruit, citrus, avocados, mangoes, vegetables, food shipping, food packaging, food storage, harvest, post harvest, shelf life extension, research, development, R&D, food waste, sustainability, fungicide, herbicide, coatings, food loss, waste reduction, freshness, supply chain
CONTACT INFORMATION
AG HeadHunters
(615) 686-2099
EEOC STATEMENT:
We are committed to equal employment opportunities 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.