About Us: 

Valent North America LLC is the shared services organization of Valent U.S.A. LLC and Valent BioSciences LLC, which are part of the Valent group of companies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Valent North America unites the corporate Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, and Environmental Health & Safety functions to maximize service delivery practices across the Valent group of companies.

Valent U.S.A. engages in the development, registration, sales, and marketing of integrated technological solutions for crop production and pest management that deliver value for customers and stakeholders. Valent BioSciences is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forest health markets. Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally that support a wide variety of industries and help enhance peoples’ daily lives.

Description of Job: This position will create and execute Marketing Strategies for our portfolio of products, solutions, and technologies to achieve the short and long-term objectives supporting the planned growth for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). This position will focus on both the agricultural and non-agricultural markets and will support interactions with Valent BioSciences’ Biostimulant business unit and Sumitomo Chemical Company affiliate companies. Activities include, but not limited to, traditional asset management, business planning, business case / model development, customer / market gap analysis, financial planning, Marketing Planning, Market Research (VoC), Risk Assessments (SWOT, PESTEL, etc), Segmentation, etc.

Principal Responsibilities:

Strategic Direction

• Develop overall global Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) portfolio strategy to drive development
• initiatives for assets in support of product launches and/or market penetration.
• Cross-functionally influence and collaborate with all functions, including R&D, sales, engineering,
• marketing, manufacturing, and operations to develop product definitions responsive to customer
• needs and marketing opportunities.
• Continually review current product portfolio’s ability to meet customer needs, making necessary
• strategic adjustments where needed to facilitate achievement of growth goals.
• Determine which products to offer within each crop and market segment.
• Complete risk analysis (concept risk versus financial reward) on key issues.
• Evaluate, confirm, and prioritize all crop expansion concepts, financial projections for the annual R&D
• priority list and new product evaluation for assigned crops.
• Establish market pricing strategies.
• Align with Project Management Office to oversee the fulfillment of all cross-functional initiatives to
• ensure strategic alignment with business objectives.
• Work with Business Development to assess and analyze and progress any new commercial
• opportunities to benefit the business.
• Advance commercial development partnerships with customers and other industry partners.

 Operational Direction

• This role will serve as the marketing project lead in developing commercial business cases and
• projections for pipeline or key development projects
• Accountable for marketing and brand plans, including asset pricing, promotion, placement, product
• and positioning for assigned assets that correlate with assigned active ingredients and/or products.
• Accountable for engaging with customers, centers of influence and external/internal experts to ensure
• a relevant understanding of the crop markets and VBC’s market position.
• Define, document and deliver customer requirements for new products, as well as desired changes /
• enhancements for existing products.
• Accountable for pricing and promotional strategies based on market research and competitive analysis;
• oversee implementation of these strategies in conjunction with Sales and Marketing (Product
• Management, Commercial Operations, etc) to establish, maintain and grow market positioning
• Develop competitive analysis materials to compare product segment with key competitors.
• Provide guidance and oversight on the marketing mix, asset allocation changes, product launches and technology transfer activities. 
• Management of the Portfolio Management team members for the USA biostimulant business. 

 Capabilities: 

• Proven work experience as an Asset Manager or similar role 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and industry-related software 
• Strong financial background with experience in financial modeling 
• Strategically minded with strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities 
• Excellent organizational and managerial expertise 
• Ability to lead both small and large cross-functional teams 

 Experience: 

• 7-10 years of relevant experience. 
• Broad asset management, product and market knowledge. 
• Strategic decision-making skills. 
• Strong agricultural background and experience. 
• Strong presentation skills. 
• Experience with pricing, forecasting, finance, and distribution models. 
• Formal exposure to process improvement methodology. 
• Strong knowledge of functions relevant to product management including sales, market segment analysis, purchasing, product engineering, production, cost analysis, quality, and customer service. 
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 

 Education: Bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred, with 7-10 years of relevant experience 

Location: Global business headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois preferred. Remote / hybrid to be considered. 

Travel: As required

What We Offer:

You’ll enjoy competitive compensation, consisting of base pay plus an incentive program available to all eligible full-time employees, and a comprehensive benefits package including high-quality healthcare options, 401k matching, life and disability insurance, generous time off (with time off to volunteer) and much more! Additionally, we offer several Flexible Work Arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.

We work together to power our sustainable future. Here's what drives us: Valent North America LLC has a strong commitment to both sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). In fact, being a responsible corporate citizen has been ingrained in our culture since the company’s founding. Today, it remains at the forefront of everything we do.

• Valent North America LLC is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.

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