Technical Development Lead - US

Advanta is a global seed business adapting to rapidly increasing food insecurity and climate change by providing farmers with innovation and new technologies. As part of UPL Group, Advanta aims to deliver high quality seeds with excellent agronomic practices and crop protection solutions. Advanta operates in over 80 countries under global brands of Advanta, Alta and Pacific Seeds. Advanta holds a leadership position in tropical and sub-tropical geographies in corn, grain and forage sorghum, sunflower, canola, rice, and a variety of vegetables. With over 60 years' experience in plant genetics, Advanta provides seeds technology that ensures crop performance and farmers prosperity.

Overview
Advanta US is looking for a Technical Development & Agronomy Lead to be the undisputed technical expert in sorghum products, traits, and agronomics across North America. The position will support a small team of Technical Development Agronomists (TDAs) to develop and execute innovative field-testing programs focused on new product validation, commercial product evaluation, positioning, and management as well as execution of training and knowledge transfer programs ensuring seed dealers and Territory Account Managers have the products, technical skill, and support to grow their business. The TD Lead will a part of the Advanta US Leadership Team providing essential connectivity to the global technical development organization.  The position will work collaboratively with the Sales and Marketing Director to ensure that the key elements of the brand and PL strategy are executed in the field.   

Responsibilities:

•    Lead the planning and execution of a product testing program that includes field testing of commercial Advanta seed hybrids, pre-commercial products, and new product/system launches.
•    Collaborate with R&D partners to develop new future technologies, focusing on bringing market knowledge and trends to team.
•    In collaboration with UPL technical services to ensure technical support for the igrowth™ herbicide tolerant sorghum system is provided including grower education and agronomic support.
•    Develop materials and field activities that support the Advanta brand experience.
•    Provide oversite of technical support ensuring key agronomic resources and messages are available to the Territory Sales Managers, dealers, and customers.
•    Work with the US commercial sales team to achieve business objectives through technical support, consultation, and training. 
•    Participate actively in pre-advancement meetings, US portfolio review, and future year forecasting.
•    Build presence and credibility with the US commercial team, seed dealers, crop consultants, key growers, and other key third party stakeholders.
•    Develop an agronomic skill set that includes detailed knowledge of sorghum production practices, ability to recommend best management practices and the capability to manage product performance inquiries.
•    Establish an agronomic support network within and outside of Advanta.

Required Skills/Experience:

•    Bachelors degree in an Ag/Life Sciences or related discipline 
•    Work experience in an agronomic related field -- either through field research, ag sales, extension work, or farm management
•    Willingness to travel and live/work in a rural environment.
•    Technical Sales Agronomists are expected to be in engaged with the team approximately 80% of the time with overnight travel in the range of 20-40%
•    Ability to lift a minimum of 60 pounds. (a bag of seed)
•    Ability to pass driving record background check (i. e. moving violations, accidents, license suspension, etc.)

Desired Skills/Experience:

•    Masters and/or PhD in an Ag/Life Sciences or related discipline
•    Consultative agronomic experience preferably in row crops (sorghum, corn, cotton) 
•    Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) certification

Skills & Competencies: 

•    Strategic thinker with the ability to work with US and global teams.
•    Significant global sorghum agronomic experience.  Ability to align global seed product portfolios across the Americas region.  
•    Strong verbal and listening communication skills with the ability to creatively solve agronomic problems and provide timely and sound recommendations.
•    Good interpersonal relationships and capable of building strong work relationships with external stakeholders and internally across all levels the organization (i. e. technical and commercial organizations)
•    Demonstrated leadership and consensus-building. Comfortable speaking in front of people with the ability to make clear and compelling presentations/trainings.
•    Strong computer skills including scientific/statistical software, database, and information reporting tools. 
•    Proficient at reading field protocols, research literature, and field reports translating data/statistics into market related information.
 

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We all play for the team and no one plays against the team. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs and on how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them.

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