Position Summary

The Product Manager (PM) manages the Johnny's Selected Seeds (JSS) commercial product line offering to the customer. The PM guides and manages the product life cycle from introducing new varieties to the catalogue, through the active life of a product, to product phase out. The role includes developing commercial product line strategies for assigned crops (in this case - tomatoes, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, summer squash, melons, watermelon, beans, corn, peas and okra) identifying alternatives for key products, setting annual trial goals for the Product Development (PD) trials, evaluating product performance with the Product Trialing & Plant Breeding Teams, and developing technical support information for the customer. The PM is a cross functional position and works with departments outside of Research &Development (R&D) to coordinate and align product status with promotions and with the logistics of product delivery to the customer. This is a Full-time salary position based in Albion, ME.

Responsibilities

• You create and implement a set of product line strategies for assigned crops for JSS target markets, staying current with the range of commercially available varieties worldwide for assigned crops, including building product lines with identified back up, and alternative varieties that can minimize product availability risk.
• You develop & manage professional relationships with supply partners and independent breeders from whom JSS can source product. Serve as primary contact (internally and externally) for assigned suppliers.
• You coordinate product related contract proposals, negotiations, reviews, and execution.
• You work with Product Technicians, Plant Breeders, JSS Staff, supply partners, and customers to set annual trial goals that focus on JSS product line strategies, address product communications, and that support the mission and business objectives of the company.
• You follow the annual PD variety performance trials at the JSS R&D facility and at select regional cooperator sites to understand the variety performance of the products.
• You manage the New Product Development process, including new product sourcing, variety evaluation, product advancement, initial seed supply forecasting, customer technical support material, and product introduction.
• You build the product files for new products that provide descriptive product specifications and keep Sales, Marketing, and Operations current with active product information.
• You partner with interdepartmental teams to support sales forecasting, pricing, procurement, and supply chain logistics, preparation of the annual catalogue, product list prices, website product pages, and content efforts.
• You lead formal internal and external education efforts (field days and training sessions, product presentations, webinars). Serve as a resource for customer-facing staff as well as customers directly, for a wide range of product and market information.

Education

• Post-secondary education (2 or 4 year) in an agriculture/business related field of study required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Creative thinker with entrepreneurial spirit bringing a positive attitude to the role and enjoy working with a diverse group of people.
• 5 years' professional environment experience, representing companies at an industry level.
• Experience in the food & agriculture business and a practical knowledge of farming or food production operations with vegetable crops. Comfortable with hands on activities in both the field and office.
• Enjoy puzzles and problem solving, solid business acumen. Comfortable making consequential decisions.
• Regular and effective communicator and public speaker.
• Able to work independently and assume leadership roles across many departments when needed.
• Comfortable organizing large amounts of data from many different sources.
• Possess the people skills necessary to be an effective team player, to interact constructively with professional scientific staff, to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary setting and comfortable establishing and developing partnerships outside of the company.
• Familiarity with MS Office suite, primarily Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, and PowerPoint required.

Physical Requirements

• Spend extended time in the research fields, walking on uneven terrain and in all kinds of weather
• Travel as needed both domestically and internationally
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for long periods of time
• Work varied hours/days as business dictates
• Bending and lifting to 50lbs

Benefits

• Customary Health/Dental/Vision Insurance  
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing 
• 401(k) 
• Employee Discount 
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave 
• Paid Time Off 
• Educational Assistance 

JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS was established in 1973 by our Founder, Rob Johnston, Jr. Today we are 100% Employee Owned. Johnny’s mission is Helping families, friends, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service.

Johnny’s is renowned for our exceptional customer service offering seeds, tools, supplies and information to direct-market growers and avid home gardeners. We source, breed, trial, and sell outstanding selected varieties of vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, and farm seed, as well as thoughtfully designed tools and equipment. We take pride in the wealth of information and depth of experience we offer our customer base, nationwide and globally.

We are a strong, stable company focused on growth while still maintaining our small company feel and staying true to our roots. Beautiful Central Maine, where our research farm, warehouse, and offices are located, is the perfect launching point for an active, four-season lifestyle. Geographically situated halfway between Maine’s mountains and its 4500-mile-long coastline, we’re a short drive away from resorts, parks, and harbors renowned for a rich diversity of recreational and cultural opportunities.

If you are passionate about good, healthy food and would choose to work for a company with fellow co-owners who are passionate about our mission and values, Johnny’s may be the place for you!

Johnny’s Selected Seeds is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status.

11/21/2024