Commercial Germplasm Lead, West Region

About the role ....

This is a great opportunity for a talented technical product expert to help develop, evaluate, and characterize the Inari gene edited corn and soybean product portfolio as we accelerate our commercial expansion. This role will be a key liaison between Inari Product Development and our Independent Seed Brand (ISB) customers by building and managing the product portfolio.

The Western Commercial Genetics Lead is a remote role, but ideally would be located in one of the western corn and soybean growing states. This position reports to the VP, Commercial Business Unit.

As genetic lead, you will ....

Be the key technical product rep for ISB customers. You will lead the evaluation of Inari's genetics, traits, late-stage product testing efforts in concert with ISB testing and evaluation efforts and needs. This includes edit demonstrations, testing, and evaluation.

• Represent ISB customer needs and provide market insights to Product Development and Product Management teams that contribute to early stage product selections and/or product concepts.
• Assist ISB customers in effective lifecycle management strategies with Inari's products, product placement, and in-season management. You will also gather product forecasts from ISB customers that create parent seed plans.
• Work closely with Key Account Managers to evaluate, characterize, and assist in the management of a competitive, customer-focused product portfolio of genetics, traits, and edited products for ISB customers including the development and execution of annual demand plans for customers.
• Be one of the key participants in Product Advancement analyses, discussion and decisions working with key Research & Development and Commercial stakeholders to understand market needs, analyze performance, gather input, and make product & portfolio decisions.
• Lead the development of product positioning strategy and recommendations with input and support of key Research & Development colleagues.
• Work with Commercial Product Management and Marketing to develop product collateral needed to support commercial sales and/or promotions.
• Assist in the phenotypic evaluation and data collection of products in the field with key Research & Development personnel including edited corn and soybeans.
• Collaborate with Product Development to ensure research and testing strategies are in place to generate, demonstrate, and analyze product performance. This includes testing and evaluation of edited products and occasional field data collection.
• Maintain good working knowledge of the competitive landscape to better manage the Inari portfolio as well as make portfolio decisions.

You bring ....

• B.S. in Agronomy, Ag Business, or similar with 5+ years of industry experience in Ag sales and marketing, agronomy, and/or product management.
• Basic understanding of all aspects of seed business including product performance evaluation, agronomic practices, growing environment differences, seed production and supply chain.
• Ability to evaluate and assess products in the field.
• Demonstrated strength in working and influencing across functions and teams. Ability to collaborate across Product Development and Commercial.
• Aptitude for working with and learning technical information related to Agriculture and/or seed technologies.
• Ability to speak with customers and present products and/or technologies in a way that customers will understand. This includes the ability to build strategic relationships with ISB customers.
• Ability to travel across areas of responsibility when evaluating products during growing season and/or meeting with ISB customers as needed.
• Working knowledge of standard office software tools.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• A strong sense of purpose and drive to develop unique, high impact solutions.
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for new challenges, innate curiosity, and a passion for learning.
• Creative and strategic thinking, willingness to be bold and take risks, and the ability to recognize and learn from failure.
• A collaborative mindset that is open to giving and receiving ideas, perspectives, and feedback.
• Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively within a dynamic working environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of individuals and audiences.

Bonus Qualifications ....

• Passion for soybean product evaluation, placement, and representation to the market is highly desired.

• Basic understanding of crop development and agronomy.
• Basic understanding of corn & soybean product development.
• Previous experience in seed licensing very beneficial, though not required