Head Sales Agronomist (PCA Required)
Location: Salinas, California (Onsite)
Reports To: Chief of Staff
Dotted-Line Reporting: CEO, CTO, and Chief Platform Architect
Position Type: Full-Time
About Blue Evolution
Blue Evolution is an agricultural technology company advancing the future of crop production through biological innovation, crop intelligence, advanced analytics, and field-validated solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
The company combines laboratory science, agronomic expertise, AI-driven analytics, and commercial agriculture experience to develop next-generation biological products and crop intelligence solutions for growers throughout California and beyond.
We are seeking a highly experienced Head Sales Agronomist professional to lead commercial agronomic deployment, customer engagement, and product commercialization as we scale from research and development into commercial growth.
Initially focused on row crops in the Salinas Valley, this role will expand to support row crop and perennial crop programs throughout California and the broader West Coast.
This position is based onsite in Salinas, California, and will operate from the Reservoir Farms incubator facility until the company establishes a permanent location in the Salinas Valley.
Position Summary
This is a highly visible role combining agronomy, enterprise sales, product development, field operations, customer success, and cross-functional collaboration.
The successful candidate will serve as Blue Evolution’s lead agronomic and commercial resource, working directly with large agricultural enterprises, authorized resellers, research partners, and internal scientific teams. They will translate emerging technologies developed by Blue Evolution’s R&D organization into practical solutions that generate measurable value for commercial agricultural operations.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable discussing randomized complete block design field trials with scientists, managing relationships with agricultural customers, and implementing operational details across field programs, vendors, and research partners.
This is a multi-faceted role that combines agronomy, new product deployment, field operations, customer engagement, and helping growers realize value from emerging biological and crop intelligence technologies. Success in this position requires exceptional relationship-building skills, commercial acumen, technical credibility, operational excellence, and the ability to lead through influence.
Commercial Development & Customer Relationships
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with large agricultural enterprises and key decision makers.
- Drive enterprise sales efforts supporting the commercialization of Blue Evolution products and services.
- Identify and develop new customer opportunities throughout California and the West Coast.
- Translate scientific findings into practical recommendations that deliver measurable grower value.
- Represent Blue Evolution at industry meetings, conferences, grower events, and customer engagements.
Agronomy & Field Operations
- Collaboratively lead agronomic strategy and deployment for row crop programs in the Salinas Valley.
- Spearhead future expansion into perennial and row crop production systems across California.
- Oversee field trial execution and commercial validation activities.
- Collaborate with contract research organizations (CROs) conducting randomized complete block design field trials.
- Manage relationships with grower partners, vendors, incubator facilities, and external research organizations.
- Ensure field programs are executed with scientific rigor and operational excellence.
- Work closely with Blue Evolution leadership to transition field activities from the current product development phase into scalable commercial operations.
Product Development & Innovation
- Serve as a key member of the product development team supporting biostimulant and crop intelligence initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, engineers, data scientists, and executive leadership.
- Provide field feedback to guide product development and commercialization strategies.
- Assist in evaluating and deploying emerging technologies developed by the company’s research programs.
- Translate laboratory discoveries into commercially scalable agricultural solutions.
- Work closely with scientific leadership to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and commercial agricultural adoption.
- Partner with the Chief of Staff, CEO, CTO, Chief Platform Architect, and R&D teams to support development and commercialization of next-generation agricultural technologies.
Professional Growth & Team Development
- Help establish and scale the commercial agronomy function as the company grows.
- Hire, train, and manage future field personnel, including a Junior Agronomist and/or Field Technician.
- Hire and manage future commercial personnel, including a National Sales Representative.
- With the Chief of Staff, establish scalable processes for customer support, field operations, and commercial deployment.
- Contribute to cross-functional decision-making across agronomy, product development, operations, and commercialization.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agriculture, Plant Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, or related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of directly relevant row crop experience; OR
- Master’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agriculture, Plant Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant row crop experience.
- Current California Pest Control Adviser (PCA) license.
- Fluent bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
- Demonstrated enterprise-level sales experience.
- Proven success working directly with commercial row crop production systems.
- Strong understanding of agricultural field trials, statistics, and experimental design.
- Experience working with large-scale commercial growers and agricultural operations.
- Ability to communicate effectively with both scientific and commercial audiences.
- Strong relationship management, communication, and presentation skills.
- Ability to travel throughout California and the West Coast as business needs require.
- Ability to work onsite in Salinas, California.
- Preference for candidates currently located in or willing to relocate to the Salinas Valley region.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credential.
- Experience with specialty crops and perennial crop systems.
- Experience commercializing new agricultural technologies.
- Experience with regenerative agriculture, biological products, biostimulants, precision agriculture, AI-enabled agriculture, crop intelligence platforms, or agricultural data products.
- Experience working in startup or high-growth environments.
- Experience building and leading technical or commercial teams.
- Experience managing third-party research organizations, consultants, or agricultural service providers.
Professional Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Professional integrity
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Customer focus
- Scientific curiosity
- Sound judgment
- Problem-solving ability
- Adaptability
- Accountability
- Equanimity under pressure
- Initiative and ownership mindset
- High executive function in the midst of ambiguity.
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to manage in all directions, including customers, vendors, research partners, and internal stakeholders
- Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical agricultural recommendations
- Strong organizational and project management skills
Why Join Blue Evolution
This is a unique opportunity to join Blue Evolution at a pivotal stage of growth and commercialization. The successful candidate will help shape the future of the company’s agronomy, customer success, product development, and commercial strategy while working alongside scientists, engineers, and agricultural leaders developing next-generation biological and crop intelligence solutions.
The individual selected for this role will have a direct impact on company growth, customer adoption, product innovation, and the successful commercialization of technologies expected to generate significant revenue growth over the coming years.
As Blue Evolution continues to grow, this role offers the opportunity to help build the agronomy and commercial organization while contributing to products and technologies that have the potential to transform agricultural production systems across California and beyond.
Compensation
Base Salary: $90,000 to $120,000 per year
After 90 days, Sales Bonuses will be established in conjunction with new product releases.
After 180 days, this position will be eligible for participation in the employee equity plan.
3 weeks PTO + 5 paid sick days per year
Group health, dental, optical
401(k) matching
Professional development opportunities to maintain professional licenses and credentials.
Company sponsored transportation.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- commercial agriculture sales: 5 years (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Pest Control License (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
