Research & Development Business Manager

WHO WE ARE

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is a leading full-service agronomic solutions provider that's been in business since 1957. Our first location was in West Helena, Arkansas hence the name "Helena". We now have close to 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees. Our corporate office is located in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb outside of Memphis. Year after year we rank at the top nationally for volume and sales in our industry.

There are many facets to our company including product development, sales, operations, precision technology and manufacturing, just to name a few.

ABOUT THE JOB

Join Helena as an R&D Business Manager and lead innovation from the ground up at our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Lemoore, CA. In this pivotal leadership role, you'll oversee a dynamic team of research professionals, guiding field-based research operations across a diverse portfolio of crops including tree nuts, tree fruits, citrus, table grapes, berries, and field and row crops.

You'll be at the forefront of product development, managing the full lifecycle from benchtop chemistry to commercialization. As the strategic bridge between R&D and Sales, you'll help shape the future for sustainable agricultural solutions while managing a dynamic business, driving team performance, and fostering key relationships with internal stakeholders and the grower community. This is a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Manages all facets of the field-based R&D operation within the territory assigned.
• Oversees management, training and recruitment of R&D employees.
• Prepares, reviews and manages budgets and P&L statements for assigned profit center.
• Manages and delegates assignments to appropriate R&D team members.
• Manages and participates in the application and evaluation of experimental and standard products in agricultural and specialty business sectors for their efficacy and performance.
• Actively identifies and establishes relationships with development, technical service and Sales Representatives for the recruitment of study assignments within territory.
• Establishes relationships with Helena field teams and growing community for placement of studies within territory.
• Serves as a technical lead for the development and launch of new technologies within assigned territory.
• Actively identifies new technology and methods for field development of products in agricultural and specialty markets with inclusion of phenotyping, drones, software systems and other new technologies.
• Reviews and compiles collected data and reports and communicates reports/findings to appropriate departments, vendors, academia, customers and others as needed. This includes making presentations at sales, training, supplier and professional meetings.
• Represents Helena at professional societies, outreach activities, grower and sales meetings, field days and other functions.
• May be required to drive a company vehicle.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in agronomy, weed science, entomology, pathology or related discipline is required.
• Master's degree or PhD is preferred.
• Three years of related work experience is required.
• Two years of leadership experience is preferred.
• Must have QAL (Qualified Applicators License) or will need to obtain immediately.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Intermediate understanding of statistics and data analysis is required.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Good judgement and decision-making skills.
• Consistently produces high quality data evaluation and presentations.
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) license and Pest Control Adviser (PCA) is preferred.
• Presentation skills to small and large groups with ability to lead and influence.
• Detail orientated with an ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent knowledge with ARM or other equivalent field research software.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate a high level of activities under a variety of conditions and constraints.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with all members of the sales and marketing and HPG team.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required to drive a company vehicle.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
• Ability to travel by various means up to 10% is required.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

BEING A LEADER AT HELENA

At Helena, our leaders are expected to demonstrate the same qualities that we value in our employees -- integrity, passion and accountability. In this leadership role, you will be…