Technical Development Manager

Description Essential Responsibilities: Field Research & Product Validation Design, implement, and manage field trials and on‑farm demonstrations in specialty crops (e.g., fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, vines, potatoes, turf, or other high‑value systems). Ensure trials are agronomically sound, statistically defensible, and aligned with intended claims and use‑patterns. Collect, analyze, and interpret agronomic, physiological, and yield/quality data to support product performance claims. Provide feedback to the lab/greenhouse team and Product Management on formulation performance, crop response variability, and use‑case optimization, consistent with the organization’s emphasis on scientifically validated product performance. Agronomic Support & Commercial Enablement Serve as the subject‑matter expert (SME) for product use in specialty crop systems, integrating products into grower‑relevant fertility, stress mitigation, and crop quality programs. Partner with Sales and Marketing to support customer meetings, field days, and technical trainings. Help sales teams position products credibly by explaining mechanisms of action, realistic performance expectations, and best‑fit agronomic scenarios. Support the development of crop‑specific guidelines, technical bulletins, and decision tools grounded in field data and biological rationale. Grower & Stakeholder Engagement Build trusted relationships with growers, consultants, researchers, and specialty crop influencers. Act as a technical face of the company in the field, answering agronomic questions, troubleshooting performance issues, and reinforcing product confidence. Provide in‑season agronomic support to ensure correct product use and to identify opportunities for program improvement. Data, Insights & Cross‑Functional Collaboration Translate field data into clear insights for internal teams, including Product Management, Regulatory, Marketing, and R&D. Contribute to internal knowledge sharing by documenting learnings from trial programs and customer interactions. Support regulatory and stewardship activities by ensuring field use aligns with label requirements and regional crop practices. Other duties not listed above may be assigned by immediate supervisor Criteria: Broad agronomy knowledge of specialty crops in the U.S. and around the globe. Experience managing the technical aspects of product development projects for crop inputs Experience planning, facilitating or summarizing agronomic field trials Experience in technical support for differentiated products in a competitive market Strong interpersonal and customer relation skills, but also an innovative and creative thinker Strong ability to work well with others to achieve objectives, but Independent and comfortable working from a remote office at their home High level of proficiency for analyzing and summarizing data (i.e. Excel, ARM, etc…) Achieves Results: Self-starter, self-disciplined, detailed and organized. Identifies and resolves problem in a timely manner. Prioritizes and plans work activities and uses time efficiently. Adaptability & Change Management: Effectively deals with and handles change and uncertainty. Adapts easily and quickly to a changing environment without losing effectiveness. Resilient Personal Development: Listens well and is aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and takes continuous action to improve personal capabilities Uncompromising ethics; Passionate for excellence; Unaccepting of mediocrity; Efficient with time This position requires 40-60% travel on average. (some weeks zero travel, some weeks 5 days). Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, or a related field (Ph.D. degree preferred). 5+ years of experience in field agronomy, technical services, or crop consulting, with direct exposure to specialty crop systems. Strong working knowledge of plant nutrition, soil fertility, crop physiology, and stress responses. Demonstrated experience designing and executing field trials or on farm research. Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex biological concepts into practical agronomic recommendations. Willingness to travel extensively during the growing season Verdesian Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex, and sexual orientation.