Research & Development Manager

COMPANY PROFILE

The Plant Company (TPC) is a newly established business currently operating in its Phase 1 production facility. Phase 1 encompasses a 5 acre greenhouse facility along with a 1.5 acre production barn. This is a state of the art, controlled environment greenhouse for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants of consistent and exceptional quality.

We believe that "together we grow stronger", which applies to employees, vendors and of course customers. The four core values that identify this company are:

1. Caring About People, Plants, and Process
2. Growth Oriented
3. Customer First
4. "Can Do" Attitude

JOB SUMMARY

The R&D Manager holds a pivotal role in the daily operations of the R&D department. They will be responsible for shaping the future of the company's R&D efforts and supporting the company with its core focus of Revolutionizing Indoor Plants with plants of exceptional quality and an extraordinary assortment. This is a proactive and goal-driven position requiring someone who is highly organized with excellent communication skills. The R&D Manager will provide oversight in partnership with the COO, ensuring that all processes, training requirements, schedules and policies are followed. This is a collaborative company in which we all work together to achieve our goals. There may be times when you are asked to lend a hand outside of your main responsibilities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Department Head Responsibilities

• • Communicate budgetary goals and status updates in partnership with COO
  • Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff in the department.
  • Ensures accurate payroll for direct reports.
  • Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
  • Acts as coach and mentor to all employees in the R&D department.
  • Liaison on the Safety Committee

• Research & Trialing

• • Review and approve all daily and/or weekly check-in with all ongoing trials in greenhouse.
  • Oversee trial progression with internal stakeholders such as growing, operations, production scheduling and sales.
  • Create Culture guidance sheets for all trial items advancing toward new introductions.
  • Work with growers on weekly sprays and crop treatments relevant to trial programs, (for example PGR, insecticide or fungicide applications and beneficial insect treatments).
  • Lead Biweekly trial walk with relevant stakeholders.
  • Periodically evaluate plant material vendors on quality and performance.
  • Identify plants as well as problems such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests and beneficials.
  • Recommend best plant growing conditions.
  • Gather information and feedback from sales and sales support team on trials, new introductions, and products in production program.
  • Research and document relevant information on trial items such as natural environment, culture info, breeding, or product development history.
  • Perform distribution (cold chain) and post-consumer testing and evaluations, including suitability for H2O program.
  • Review inspections of crops and evaluate plant and soil conditions.
  • Adhere to safety regulations, policies, and lead by example.
  • Actively participate in conversations with the growing and operations team to determine the best plan of action.

• Development
  • Maintain reputable breeder and vendor relationships.
  • Manage vendor engagement on QC, continuous improvement on best practices (rooting, growing, care, PGR etc.), and motherstock management.
  • Build out new genetics pipelines and contribute in developing new product lines in close cooperation with ownership.

• Proven Winner & Client Maintenance
  • Oversee Proven Winners Trial Database, Patent research and contract obligations.
  • Periodically report findings and recommendations with stakeholders.
  • Lead communication efforts with Proven Winners marking team.
  • Lead technical support efforts for sub-licensees.
  • Track consumer trends relative to product categories TPC is active in.
  • Other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to manage others.
• Self-starter with ability to problem solve and good decision-making skills
• Ability to do repetitive tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail and high-quality standards
• Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and work independently or with team towards a solution.
• Ability to determine causes of operating errors.
• Positive attitude and team player.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Public speaking skills required to facilitate, instruct, and execute professional presentations.
• Needs to be able to travel around the USA for up to 25% of the time and occasional international travel (some overnight). Current and valid passport required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Greenhouse, Horticulture, Botany, or related field.
  • Master's degree preferred.
• Five (5) years of relevant job experience
• Use of computer software including:
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to bend, twist, turn, climb, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the workday.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The Plant Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Plant Company is to extend employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.