This position will work out of our River Falls, WI Innovation Center.....It's closer to the Twin Cities metro area than you think! Only 17 miles over the MN/WI border.

Adjuvants are companion products that are used with crop protection chemicals to enable growers to farm more effectively and sustainably and are a key margin driver for our retail Owners and Winfield United. The Adjuvant RD Business Development Analyst will provide vital leadership and expertise, enabling us to reach our goals of generating topline sales and gross margin from new, innovative products.

This individual will direct the process for discovery and the initial stages of evaluating candidates for the adjuvant portfolio and other related technologies and coordinate market support activates and materials. Develop research methodology for efficient evaluation of adjuvants. Ensure smooth handoff of new projects from the Discovery phase to the commercialization phase.

Provide expert project management on other innovative projects in the Discovery phase in adjacent subject areas, including plant nutrient products and bio-pesticides, sustainability, alternative weed control methods such as robotics and automation technologies.

Product and Technology Discovery – Adjuvants

• Lead the discovery and initial evaluation of novel adjuvants and related product technologies, ensuring a robust and efficient process.
• Develop and implement research methodologies for the effective assessment of new product candidates.
• Establish charters and key performance indicators (KPIs) for both internally and externally generated product ideas.
• Facilitate ideation and ensure seamless integration of new projects from the Discovery phase into the stage-gate process, coordinating handoff to research managers and marketers for further development and commercial launch.
• Collaborate closely with P&L leads and marketing managers across adjuvants, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to identify and attract innovative products and technologies from industry suppliers, partners, and other sources.
• Apply core business strategies to drive innovation and deliver new solutions in adjuvant and related product spaces.
• Serve as the technical point of contact and trusted partner for external vendors and customers, fostering strong relationships and supporting successful product development.

Project Management: Prioritizing Projects and Planning Efficient Workflow

• Serve as an expert project manager for Discovery-phase initiatives, including adjuvants, bio-pesticides, PNP, sustainability, novel weed control methods, and service offerings, as assigned.
• Transition projects at the advanced pilot stage to product development or marketing teams, ensuring a smooth handoff and continued progress toward commercialization and market support insights.
• Manage the Adjuvant SharePoint site, maintaining up-to-date project documentation and resources.
• Represent adjuvant and adjacent projects during project prioritization at initiation and in monthly meetings, and present new initiatives at Gate 0 stage-gate reviews.
• Lead core technical team meetings with internal stakeholders to drive strategic product development and establish five-year roadmaps.
• Oversee NDA and licensing agreements, Fee-for-Service implementations, and product commercialization requests as needed, aligning with internal business strategies and project management goals.
• Direct research managers and related staff in supporting early-stage adjuvant development, including:
  • Collaborating and communicating with cross-functional teams such as marketing, research, sales, crop protection product management, procurement, and legal.
  • Sourcing data and allocating resources for internal and external laboratory, greenhouse, and field research.

Professional Relationships & Thought Leadership

• Serve as a key technical contact for suppliers, industry partners, universities, and governmental agencies in the areas of adjuvants and relevant Winfield products and programs.
• Pursue new opportunities in adjuvant and adjacent product spaces by acting as a subject matter expert, monitoring industry trends, attending professional activities and associations, identifying leads, and building strategic relationships.
• Provide data, insights, and training on products to internal audiences, including Research Managers, Crop Protection Product Managers, Market Development Specialists, Field Services, and sales staff.
• Engage with customers and sales staff to understand end-user needs and identify opportunities for innovation through internal events, market research projects, and one-on-one conversations.
• Coordinate & lead bi-weekly and quarterly meetings with the Adjuvant Advocacy Team to brainstorm new ideas, review data and current projects, and update innovation platforms.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agronomy, plant biology, chemistry, agricultural engineering, or closely aligned field with 5 or more years of experience in agricultural research and development in those areas – OR a bachelor’s degree with 10 years related experience
• 5 plus years of experience in managing and research and developing appropriate data and support materials.
• 5 plus years of experience in evaluating statistics and research methodology to improve processes and meet quality standards.
• 5 plus years of knowledge of business and technical aspects of the product areas and technology is required.
• Strong understanding of business case development, financial modeling, levers that drive a P&L, and understanding of marketing principles and
• Ability to travel 10-15%

Salary range: $107,680 - $161,520 (in most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

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