Director, Agronomics Research and Development; PhD - Remote

Company Overview

Site One Landscape Supply is the largest national distributor of landscaping products across the United States and Canada. As a leading supplier of wholesale goods for green industry professionals, we have a long history of serving those who design, build, and maintain outdoor spaces – from lawns and gardens to golf courses, sport fields and more. We pride ourselves on knowing our customers and their business better than anyone else and providing them with a one‑stop shop of extensive inventory covering irrigation, lighting, turf and landscape maintenance, hardscapes, nursery, and pest control supplies.

At Site One, we are passionate about delivering an outstanding customer experience and will stop at nothing to help our customers win. We know that our associates are the key to this success, and our commitment to the Site One DNA and support for our associates through development programs, benefits, and perks align with our vision to "Be a Great Place to Work for Our Associates".

We foster a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement. With over 700 locations and exciting expansion ahead, now is the perfect time to join Site One and grow Stronger Together™!

The Director of Research & Development (R&D), Agronomics, is responsible for leading the strategic direction and execution of research initiatives focused on crop science, soil health, plant nutrition, and sustainable agronomic practices. This role will drive innovation, support product development, and partner cross‑functionally to deliver high‑impact agronomic solutions aligned with business objectives.

This individual will serve as a subject matter expert, providing scientific leadership while translating research insights into practical, scalable solutions for commercial applications.

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the R&D strategy for agronomic products aligned with company growth goals
  • Identify emerging trends in crop science, soil management, and sustainable agriculture
  • Build and maintain a strong innovation pipeline for new products, technologies, and services
  • Be responsible for curriculum and delivery of field training for the agronomics category and for individual, new product launches
• Research & Development
  • Design, oversee, and evaluate field trials, greenhouse studies, and agronomic research programs
  • Lead development of products related to fertilizers, crop protection, biologicals, and soil amendments
  • Ensure scientific rigor, data integrity, and compliance with regulatory standards
  • Analyze and interpret data to produce actionable insights and recommendations
• Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop a team of agronomic technical and training leads
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Set performance goals and provide coaching and mentorship
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Category, Sales, and Marketing teams to bring new solutions to market
  • Translate complex agronomic research into customer‑facing messaging and training materials
  • Support field teams with technical expertise and troubleshooting
• External Partnerships
  • Partner with new and existing basic manufacturers of fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to ensure early access to new products and new formulations of existing products
  • Build relationships with universities, research institutions, and industry organizations
  • Represent the company at conferences, industry events, and technical forums
  • Collaborate with external partners on trials, grants, and research initiatives
  • Secure funding from suppliers to support research and development
• Regulatory & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local agricultural and environmental regulations
  • Support product registration and documentation for new product development

• Up to 25% travel, for reasons including, but not limited to: university engagement, product meetings, and training facilitation.

Requirements:

• PhD in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Horticulture or related field
• 10+ years of progressive experience in agronomic research or agricultural R&D
• Proven…