Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, is seeking an Agronomy Research Manager in Columbus, OH.

Develop and disseminate results from customer-focused agronomy research studies, working in partnership with Business Unit Technical Services Teams, North America Agronomy/Product Sciences, and Agronomy Sciences Research. Focus is on generating information that has high value for growers by maximizing the benefits of new traits and technologies through best management practices. These projects include Business Unit and North America on-farm agronomy comparisons, university studies and small plot agronomy research and field demonstrations in conjunction with Agronomy Sciences Research and Pioneer research centers.

Work with Area Agronomists and the Technical Sales Training team to support sales with innovative use of agronomy research results. Ensure that adequate agronomy training and knowledge is created and delivered to field sales personnel.

Start date will be January, 2010.
Duties Responsibilities: Agronomy Research:

Represent Business Unit to identify and prioritize North America agronomy research projects with Marketing groups, Agronomy Sciences Research, and NA Agronomy/Product Sciences.

Participate in protocol and information delivery planning sessions with Agronomy Sciences Research and North America (NA) Agronomy/Product Sciences.

Maintain strong relationships and partnerships with Agronomy Research Scientists and CGR&D research centers.

Spend considerable time in the field with Agronomy Research Scientists

Participate in research activities enough to have a credible reputation as a field researcher

Serve as connecting point with CGR&D research personnel, including demonstrating to them how agronomy research supports sales

Initiate and execute agronomy research projects in support of Business Unit agronomy and sales priorities.

Primary focus of Business Unit projects is on-farm agronomy comparisons coordinated with Area Agronomists. Many of these will be large field comparisons using as-planted and yield mapping.

Serve as key contact with NA Agronomy/Product Sciences for NA on-farm studies such as Technology Advancement Trials (TAT), and Large Field studies

Coordinate Business Unit Crop Management Research Awards (CMRA) projects with university researchers in conjunction with NA Agronomy/Product Sciences

Propose small plot agronomy research protocols to be executed in conjunction with Agronomy Research Scientists at Research Centers

Analyze, interpret and disseminate results from Business Unit agronomy research projects (on-farm, university, small plot) in innovative forms that will drive sales (presentations, decisions aids, Field Facts, Crop Insights).

Provide input into the design of demonstration plots and lead training and information sessions working with Business Unit Technical and Marketing Teams and Agronomy Research Scientists.

Partner with NA Agronomy/Product Sciences and Agronomy Sciences Research to disseminate results from North America agronomy research projects in innovative forms that will drive sales (presentations, decisions aids).

Requires a thorough knowledge of Pioneer agronomy research and demonstration protocols (on-farm, university, small plot) and information delivery systems such as AIS, Growing Point,Pioneer.com

Maintain broad knowledge of technical and scientific literature, and share information with colleagues keeping them abreast of new theories and concepts and their application to Pioneer agronomy research and business activities.

Training Support for Field Sales:
Responsible for applying knowledge, skills and resources to meet the agronomy training needs of the field sales team. Focus is to train technical understanding and mastery, but also to integrate those objectives into sales skills and operational skills training.

Provide leadership for the development of Business Unit agronomic strategies/direction, and guidance to Area Agronomists & Account Managers that aligns with this direction.

Deliver specific agronomy training to field sales teams in areas of expertise.

Internal/External Relationship Management:
Interface with several internal audiences and support groups, as well as individuals and groups outside the business unit.
Develop relationships with local consultants, Universities and Government Agencies: disseminate research information, develop information and materials on environmental stewardship issues.
Act on behalf of the Business Unit or Company to audiences outside, to gather or disseminate information, to work cooperatively for the advancement of the Field Sales Mission, and/or to represent the company.
Hiring Manager Title:Technical Services Manager
Functional Unit:Sales

Educational Qualifications Desired: Ph.D. or M.S. with at least five years field research experience in biological sciences with expertise in Agronomy, Weed Science, Soil Science or Entomology.
Competencies and Experience Desired: Five years post graduate research management experience preferred with an agricultural company or university in conceiving, coordinating, executing, summarizing, and reporting results from field research trials in writing and oral presentations. Familiarity with field mapping and precision farming systems is preferred.

Purely Pioneer product focused.
Strong technical knowledge of Business Unit agriculture and crop systems including factors which influence decisions by producers and management practices impacting IP systems
Demonstrated knowledge of environmental, regulatory and product stewardship issues of Pioneer products & technologies and DuPont product offerings in relation to seed.
Professional relationships with leading regional public research and extension personnel
Working knowledge of experimental designs and statistics.
Demonstrated ability to assimilate large amounts of technical information and to condense it into useable and understandable form.
Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and ability to communicate appropriately with diverse audiences.
Strong questioning and feedback skills - including working with divergent points of view.
Demonstrated public relations skills
Planning and organization ability
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision by taking initiative to meet goals & objectives
Ability to interact with and facilitate projects across diverse internal and external groups, including growers, retailers, agronomists, crop consultants, product managers, research scientists, research associates, public researchers and extension specialists.