Director of Innovation

Job Summary

The Director of Innovation has oversight of all product innovation initiatives and will be the bridge between RDI and commercial success, taking the innovative work being done at Exacto and bringing solutions to our customers. The ideal candidate will possess a scientific background and have a strong understanding of the commercial side of the business.  This person must be able to engage and add things to new component & technology discovery and be able to visualize the various concepts, how those technologies would be used, and how we would commercialize it. The position will heavily interface with sales and contribute to marketing, being part of product launch success. 

Key Responsibilities

• IDEATION AND SCOPING: Identify agronomic and customer challenges and ideate solutions to overcome them. Leverage multi-disciplinary approach to identify innovative solutions in new product, market positioning, or go-to-market strategy.
• TECHNOLOGY DISCOVERY: Create and manage discovery screening program, working closely with formulation team and connecting product solutions to marketplace challenges. Serve as key outward-facing expert, interfacing with suppliers and potential partners to find new or complementary product ideas and technologies.
• PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Lead product development program to validate discovery concepts and bridge them to commercial phase. Design development programs to define product value proposition, strengths and weaknesses, product labelling and registration needs, cost positioning, and customer fit. Collaborate directly with customers on partner projects to drive successful joint development and launch of new products. Work directly with 3^rd party R&D experts across the industry, and serve as subject matter expert on all topics related to Exacto data and R&D.
• INTERNAL SALES SUPPORT: Serve as lead technical expert on sales calls, supporting Exacto account managers. Lead R&D conversations with customers and build relationships with customers’ R&D leads to foster collaboration and accelerated development of new products.
• EXTERNAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Serve as lead agronomic expert for customers on all Exacto products. Develop a thorough understanding of Exacto’s chemistry and product portfolio and provide world-class customer service by guiding customers through questions and challenges they experience in the field. Design R&D studies to proactively address customer challenges.
• MARKETING SUPPORT: Provide leadership and guidance to Exacto marketing team, including organization and summarization of all technical data used in marketing communications. QC marketing content for technical accuracy. Work directly with marketing to satisfy all customer requests related to agronomic data and value proposition.
• BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Work directly with Business Development lead to provide technical guidance related to new business leads. Create and deliver presentations to position Exacto technology with strategic new partners, and work with Exacto leadership team to evaluate and guide new strategic partnerships and opportunities.
• STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Manage multi-disciplinary and highly talented R&D team. Create environment for creativity and innovation to flourish, while maintaining disciplined adherence to protocols and timelines. Develop early-career scientists with individual development plans catered towards each team members’ aspirations.  
• STRATEGIC THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Support company initiatives with external thought leadership. Serve as face of Exacto in areas of technical expertise, sustainability, R&D leadership, and impact evaluation. Deliver key strategic messages to internal teams, customers, partners and customers, and industry associations at conferences. 

Core Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Tech-Savvy, Cultivates Innovation, Manages Complexity
• Strategic Thinking: Strategic Mindset, Action-Oriented, Resourceful
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Communicates Effectively, Collaborates, Situational Adaptability
• Continuous Learning: Nimble Learning, Self-Development, Resilience
• Customer Focus:  Customer Facing, Training & Educating, Business Development

Education/Experience

• Advanced degree in Agronomy, Weed Science, Plant Physiology, Soil Science, Microbiology, or a related field. Ph.D. is preferred.
• Knowledge of tank mix adjuvants, pesticide applications.
• Proven experience designing and conducting greenhouse and field trials.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Up-to-date knowledge of agricultural trends, research innovations, and best practices.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and possessing a strong work ethic.
• Proficiency in MS Office products and ability to use company-specific workforce software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
• Knowledge of experimental design, statistics, data analytics, data interpretation, and sound decision making.
• Experience setting priorities and managing complex projects with follow-through to completion.
• ERP & computer proficiency & technical skills.
• Deadline oriented and works well under pressure while maintaining a positive environment.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently within a goal driven strategic team.
• Ability to lead a technical team that fosters engagement and teamwork.
• Travel ~20% to attend key customer meetings, industry conferences, and trial sites.