Product Placement Scientist

The Product Placement Scientist plays instrumental role in our late-stage product portfolio across all vegetable crops and segments by: - Leading and managing research trials for diverse portfolio of vegetable crops to drive off-station trials in collaboration with growers. - Securing high-quality trials via trial design implementation, optimal data collection and data analysis to enable data-driven product advancement decisions and variety placement recommendations - Serving as the primary technical expert for hybrid promotion of PLC5 products to PLC6 stage in partnership with breeding, marketing and commercial teams Accountabilities - Plan annual trialing plan for respective crop(s) and area of responsibility using relevant planning tools - Organize external (off-station) trials with growers in alignment with respective trial protocols - Responsible for design, implementation, and analysis of trials to evaluate crop performance, while collecting high-quality data hands-on and/or through others - Select and optimize trial locations in line with targeted market and customer segment, trialing best practices and environmental factors - Prepare and negotiate trial contracts with growers - Work with all relevant team members that are involved in trialing execution to ensure that trials have accurate trial design - Responsible for data management, data analysis and data visualization - Present trials and new products candidates for PLC6 advancements during the Product Advancement Tour (PAT tour) in collaboration with breeding and marketing teams. - Effectively use trialing data to develop product knowledge and create comprehensive overview to allow optimal product advancement decisions and to create technical proposals for product placement in certain markets (country level) - Prepares and presents trial network and quality, PLC5 to PLC6 promotions and variety description/placement during the Product meeting for her/his designated area of responsibility - Build and maintain strong relationships with seed dealers, growers, and processors to understand customer needs, secure strategic trial locations and manage grower contracts - Develop comprehensive knowledge of regional markets, crop performance, and customer requirements for optimal variety placement and strategic insights to other departments Critical Knowledge and Experience - PhD degree or MSc degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Genetics or related field with 2-3 years experience - Fluency in English and local language; demonstrated strong written and verbal communication abilities. - Demonstrated experience in plant variety trialing, field trial design, statistical analysis and data interpretation of phenotype and environmental data - Practical knowledge in plant breeding and seed business as well as crop management and agronomy/horticulture practices across vegetable crops - Track record of working with growers and stakeholders in vegetable production, with comprehensive understanding of market demands and crop specifications. - Excellent analytical and communication skills, with ability to synthesize complex data into clear recommendations - Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel primarily within country or region, at least 40-50% during peak season - Ability to accommodate unscheduled work and flexible work hours based on business needs or weather conditions - Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons (including non-traditional day-time hours with the potential of overnight travel)