Product Development Specialist (Desert Southwest))

HM.CLAUSE is a Business Unit of Limagrain, an international agricultural co-operative founded and managed by farmers. We specialize in the breeding, production, and sale of vegetable seeds. From the world market to the farmer's market, we collaborate with our customers to deliver successful solutions for agricultural challenges and produce the highest quality vegetable seeds for the future. Our global team of experts and state-of-the-art research facilities enable us to work side-by-side with growers to provide the most regionally relevant and reliable vegetable seeds available.

About the role

This position will cover the area of Yuma and the Imperial Valley. The Product Development Specialist is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating HM.CLAUSE vegetable seed trials across the assigned region. This role provides the technical foundation and market insight that support product advancement, sales growth, and successful product introductions. The position combines hands-on field work with customer interaction, data-driven evaluation, and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Customer and Market Intelligence
  • Describe market needs; maintain and update a market intelligence database for the area (including market review, competition benchmark, seed technology watch, etc.) and anticipate market trends with autonomy.
  • Work closely with Sales Representatives, growers, and dealers to understand regional crop needs, production systems, and market challenges.
  • Monitor competitor varieties, new technologies, and changes in production practices relevant to the region.
  • Record market observations and customer feedback in company systems to support regional planning and product positioning.
• Product Development
  • Design and coordinate the regional trial plan, including sample seed ordering, timing, standard and check varieties to ensure regional PD program aligns with crop strategy and market needs.
  • Record and evaluate trial data using internal digital platforms, ensuring consistency and high data quality.
  • Leverage basic analytics (e.g., Excel, dashboards, pivot tables, charts) to extract patterns and highlight key differentiators among varieties.
  • Generate digital trial summaries, heat maps, or comparison tables to support advancement discussions with the Product Development Manager.
• Communication, Promotion & Technical Support
  • Train Sales Representatives on new and developing varieties, focusing on performance, positioning, and key value drivers.
  • Support the implementation of field days, demo trials, dealer programs, and grower meetings to promote new varieties.
  • Provide growers and dealers with practical, data-backed agronomic recommendations in coordination with the Sales Representative.
  • Share digital reports, photos, charts, and summaries to communicate results clearly to internal and external audiences.
• Claims & Complaints
  • Provide technical expertise at customer level and support the Sales Representative to manage claims and complaints settlement, in accordance with company policy.

Requirements

• Minimum of a B.S. in Agronomy, Horticulture, AgriBusiness, or equivalent field.
• 5+ years of experience in the Vegetable industry preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Domestic travel required: 25-30%.
• Home office required; in-field work as necessary.

Physical Demands

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.

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Driving cars, trucks, forklifts, or other equipment.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Walking on uneven ground, working near equipment or machinery.
• Moderate noise level typical of this work environment.