R&D Technical Manager
Onsite/Hybrid in Visalia, CA
About AgroFresh
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.
What the Role Delivers
The Technical Manager (TM) is responsible for all facets of biology development programs for both new products and expansion of the existing portfolio, from proof of concept, through product development and up to product launch. In this key role, the TM develops product performance data critical to expanding AgroFresh’s business as well as supporting existing product lines.
The TM will be responsible for all product development activities within their assigned geography across multiple product categories including coatings, antimicrobials (fungicides), and regulators focused on near- and post-harvest solutions.
In addition to the regional responsibilities, the TM may be assigned a global development lead responsibility for a specific category or project. In this additional global role, the TM will lead global development activities and leverage biology data and resources within a global matrix network of TMs, ensuring consistency of protocols and timely completion of work plans.
The TM is also expected to be the primary interface with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) within the assigned geographical business region.
Key Responsibilities
In order of relative importance
Biology Development 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.
Key Opinion Leader (KOL) responsibilities
- 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
Who to Work With
Primary internal and external stakeholders
- Regulatory
- Strategic Marketing
- Formulations
- Operations
- Legal
- Member of R&D project teams
- Contract Research Organizations
- University and Extension KOL’s
- Industry experts
- Crop consultants
- Customers
How We Work
AgroFresh core competencies
- Accountability for Results
- Mindset for Growth
- Customer Centricity
- One AgroFresh
What the Job Requires
- 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
What to Have Done and Know How to Do
These skills and experiences are highly desirable; however, they do not preclude exceptions based on an individual’s performance history and demonstrated potential.
- 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
Why Work Here
- We work every day to improve the quantity and quality of fresh produce and reduce food waste – that is important to every person on the planet!
- We have a rich history and are known for our quality products.
- We have an enterprising spirit and are looking for like-minded problem-solvers to help us accomplish our goals.
- We focus on the Critical Few priorities that are important for us and our customers and then hold ourselves accountable to deliver.
- We are growing and transforming – both our business and the industry.
- We are committed to developing our colleagues and helping you advance in your career.
- We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages.
Local Details
- 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
