R&D Technical Manager

R&D Technical Manager

Onsite/Hybrid in Visalia, CA

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 Agro Fresh and what inspires our colleagues every day.

Agro Fresh 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 Agro Fresh 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 Agro Fresh'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 Agro Fresh 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 Agro Fresh Core Competencies

• Accountability for Results
• Mindset for Growth
• Customer Centricity
• One Agro Fresh

What the Job…