Research Trials Manager - Technical Sales Agronomist

Title: Research Trials Manager/Technical Sales Agronomist

Location: Remote  St. Louis, MO

Job Description:

We believe that passionate people can make a real difference and we are building a culture around innovation, sustainability, efficiency, nimbleness, honesty, compliance, and a sense of urgency to make a positive difference and create real value. Ostara’s CG P2X® fertilizers are the first granular phosphate fertilizers to release nutrients in response to plant demand. Using Crop Driven Release™, CG P2X is proven to increase yields, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphate tie-up and runoff, thereby improving food security while protecting local waterways from nutrient pollution.

Position summary

The Research Trials Manager/Technical Sales Agronomist is primarily responsible for (i) developing the information and research base necessary to continue growing the product line, including existing and new products, (ii) managing research trial execution and the related data analysis and reporting; and (iii) educating and supporting the sales team on driving commercial messaging with field trials data and product information. This role will implement, support, and manage the research development program, while at the same time evaluate new products that could help to expand both the portfolio and Ostara's reach in agriculture. Daily collaboration with Technical Sales and Marketing will ensure proper messaging and a clear understanding of the product(s) and associated value proposition(s) exist. The Manager will support global growth goals and expansion efforts.

Essential functions

• Acts as the product and technology expert for crop nutrition, covering internal, complementary, and competitive products
• Develops and leads product training process for internal employees and external Ostara customers
• Develops relationships with customer sales and agronomy personnel, farmer/managers, researchers, and independent consultants within the region
• Owns the Research & Development program from protocol development to data evaluation and interpretation, including budget management
• At a minimum, visits every research site every year to ensure protocols are followed, plots are managed well, and data quality is acceptable to use
• Proactively communicates with Technical and Commercial teams to ensure all current and proposed trial work and product collaboration efforts are in line with business goals
• Implements, manages, and communicates data for all trials; historical and new
• Proactively interprets, organizes, and summarizes data and collaborates with marketing to support commercial messaging for internal and external usage
• Proactively investigates, evaluates, and recommends product portfolio expansion opportunities.
• Provides input on production planning and portfolio
• Seeks out and maintains technical intelligence on competitive products and leads sales in understanding information to effectively compete in the market
• Continually supports product-based marketing materials and campaign development through assessment and reassessment of data to uncover hidden gems and identify novel features and benefits
• Spearheads technical assessments and trial plan development for external public/private funding opportunities
• Promotes Ostara products at meetings, field days, and one-on-one interactions to drive commercial messaging
• Provides agronomic and technical support to sales staff, with direct involvement in developing trial plans, handling service calls, and answering any customer questions
• Effectively communicates highly technical information to the Ostara executive team, growers, sales reps, and accounts in a manner that is easily understandable
• Actively mines data to support market development into new geographies outside North America
• Actively participates in fertilizer related organizations
• Supports sales team at tradeshows, conferences, and Ag association functions
• Serves as an industry liaison, becoming widely recognized as a thought leader and influencer

Required skills/abilities

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical product attributes to all organization levels with independent thinking and pushing initiatives with little input from leadership
• Effectively translates and articulates internal data, sometimes limited in scope and quantity, into supportive commercial communications, to promote Ostara’s products and their attributes
• Comfortable proactively seeking opportunities to discuss, educate and externally collaborate
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software and appropriate statistical programs such as SAS and ARM
• Proficient in proper statistical design, layout, and analysis of research trials
• Must have previously developed strong industry relationships such as retailers, growers, and industry professionals
• Previous experience in sales or directly related sales activities within the ag industry highly desired
• Must recognize the need and have a desire to physically evaluate all field sites to assess field/data/cooperator quality
• Must be passionate about promoting a sustainable fertilizer and comfortable speaking publicly to support sales by overcoming all obstacles

Education/experience

• Master’s degree or Ph.D.  in agronomy or related field
• Three (3) years of work experience in production agriculture highly desired
• Proven track record communicating with industry professionals including retailers and growers
• Experience designing and conducting research trials, analyzing data, summarizing results, interpreting the message, and communicating results to the appropriate teams in a presentation-ready format
• Knowledge of and experience with communicating soil fertility and plant nutrition products and concepts
• Specialized knowledge in a complementary aspect of agronomy, nutrition, sustainability, tillage, or emerging technologies

Physical requirements and work environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk on the phone, speak with the public, hear on the phone, hear in person, and use hands and fingers. This job requires the employee to sit for prolonged periods with minimal exposure to hot and cold temperature extremes that could be encountered at Ostara’s job sites. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  This job requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the office environment is usually low. For certain activities such as evaluating field trials, prolonged exposure to adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, humidity, and precipitation events may occur.  Standing for periods of 6-8 hours may be necessary for events such as trade shows.

Location and travel

This position is remote, preferably within a 60 mile radius of St. Louis, MO. A minimum 50-60% travel requirement is expected by driving extensively and at times, flying.

EEO statement

Ostara is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, parental status, gender identity or national origin.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Ostara reserves the right to change duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.