EUMEA Agricultural Product Development Manager

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Gowan Company is looking for a Pre-Commercial Field Development Manager for the EUMEA region. The ideal location for this position would be in, or near, Harpenden, UK. The EUMEA Pre-Commercial Field Development Manager (EUPCFDM) will be responsible for supporting the development process for active ingredients and end use products in the Global Pre-Commercial Development Program.

Specifically, the EUPCFDM will be responsible for coordinating project objectives between the PCD Manager, consultants, R&D leads and Field Development Representatives (FDRs) including creating trial plans and draft protocols. The PCFDM will also coordinate research sample needs and communicate needs to the PCD manager, formulations group and to the sample's coordinator.

In EUMEA the PCFDM will be required to implement the research and development activities but also have the ability to coordinate and plan with consultants, R&D leads and EU field development to make sure all studies can be completed correctly and on time.

Communicate regularly with key stakeholders for development such as the relevant Portfolio Development specialists and Asset Managers as well as regional marketing leads in order to be aligned and up to date on strategic needs and direction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide multi-directional support to assist in bringing key projects from pre-commercial development to commercial hand-off.
• Communicate with EUMEA FDRs, Country Managers (CM's) and other stakeholders to identify and coordinate development priorities for key projects.
• Coordinate annual trial plans, across zones and countries to satisfy field data collection for regulatory, crop safety, materials compatibility, and sales requirements prior to product launch.
• Enhance development efficiency by cross regional harmonization (where applicable), knowledge sharing, and maintaining development history of key projects.
• Help with data collection, cross-trial/regional analysis, and vetting of studies.
• Assist in coordinating requirements for project advancement through the regulatory process, with key stakeholders, and with the Senior Management Team.
• Identify project hurdles or potential pitfalls which might compromise project advancement or objectives.
• Coordinate pre-launch development efforts, including exposure to key regional influencers, to support marketing and sales for successful product market introductions.
• Help identify new market opportunities for pre-commercial projects including new crops/pest uses, market segmentations, formulation enhancements, pre-mix partners, etc.
• Assist in research sample coordination to ensure sample availability, quality, and material control.
• Help maintain project confidentiality, and ensure partner relations and expectations are being maintained.
• Assist in identifying and fostering any patent opportunities regarding pre-commercial projects. Provide product technical and use information and training to FDRs, sales, and marketing staff prior to product commercialization.
• The EUPCFDM will be required to attend and participate in the annual development meeting and may be asked to organize and/or participate in research field tours. The EUPCFDM may be required to attend industry scientific conferences and give papers, posters or otherwise represent Gowan Crop Protection and the PCD group.

Minimum Educational Requirement:

• A degree or higher in either agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, biology or related fields.

Work Experience Required:

• At least 7 years' experience (or 3 year of experience and post graduate education) in field research or product development in the crop protection industry across Europe.
• Must have current experience in building a BAD, the template, the studies and the compilation of the dossier.
• Must have good working knowledge of the European plant protection product registration requirements, the zonal system and the relevant types and numbers of studies at each stage of the registration process.

Required Skills:

• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Access, Project and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of and experience in research design, statistical sampling methods and statistical analysis in biological systems.
• Good communicator and team member
• Willing to make judgement even when more data would be helpful, helping to prioritize and move projects on schedule, adhering to the process set in place.
• Working knowledge and experience with ARM and statistical software such as MiniTab, SAS, JMP, etc. preferred but not required.

Travel Requirements:

• When Required.