Research & Development Business Manager - Northern California

About the Role

Join Helena as an R&D Business Manager and lead innovation from the ground up at our Northern California territory location based in Chico, CA. In this pivotal leadership role, you'll oversee a dynamic team of research professionals, guiding field-based research operations across a diverse portfolio of crops including tree nuts, tree fruits, wine grapes, rice, field crops and row crops. You'll be at the forefront of product development, managing the full lifecycle from benchtop chemistry to commercialization. As the strategic bridge between R&D and Sales, you'll help shape the future for sustainable agricultural solutions while managing a dynamic business, driving team performance, and fostering key relationships with internal stakeholders and the grower community. This is a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

Responsibilities

• Manages all facets of the field-based R&D operation within the assigned territory.
• Oversees management, training, and recruitment of R&D employees.
• Prepares, reviews, and manages budgets and P&L statements for assigned profit center.
• Manages and delegates assignments to appropriate R&D team members.
• Manages and participates in the application and evaluation of experimental and standard products in agricultural and specialty business sectors for their efficacy and performance.
• Actively identifies and establishes relationships with development, technical service, and Sales Representatives for the recruitment of study assignments within territory.
• Establishes relationships with Helena field teams and growing community for placement of studies within territory.
• Serves as a technical lead for the development and launch of new technologies within assigned territory.
• Actively identifies new technology and methods for field development of products in agricultural and specialty markets with inclusion of phenotyping, drones, software systems, and other new technologies.
• Reviews and compiles collected data and reports, and communicates findings to appropriate departments, vendors, academia, customers, and others as needed, including making presentations at sales, training, supplier, and professional meetings.
• Represents Helena at professional societies, outreach activities, grower and sales meetings, field days, and other functions.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in agronomy, weed science, entomology, pathology, or related discipline is required. Master's degree or PhD is preferred.
• Three years of related work experience is required.
• Two years of leadership experience is preferred.
• Must have QAL (Qualified Applicators License) or will need to obtain immediately.
• Intermediate understanding of statistics and data analysis is required.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Good judgement and decision-making skills.
• Consistently produces high-quality data evaluation and presentations.
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) license and Pest Control Adviser (PCA) is preferred.
• Presentation skills to small and large groups with ability to lead and influence.
• Detail-oriented with an ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent knowledge of ARM or other equivalent field research software.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate a high level of activities under a variety of conditions and constraints.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with all members of the sales, marketing, and HPG team.
• Ability to read, write, and speak in English is required. Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
• Ability to travel by various means up to 10% is required.
• Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

Leadership Responsibilities

At Helena, our leaders are expected to demonstrate the same qualities that we value in our employees — integrity, passion, and accountability. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for overseeing an R&D Associate, R&D Technicians, and R&D Interns. This includes:

• Interviewing, hiring, training, and coaching employees.
• Planning, assigning, and directing work.
• Appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees.
• Addressing complaints and resolving problems by following all of Helena's policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

Work Environment & Physical Aspects

At Helena, safety is our highest priority. The work environment for this position will be in an office setting and outdoors in all types of weather conditions with exposure to outdoor elements. When working outdoors and possibly around moving equipment/mechanical parts, you could be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations, and a risk of electrical shock. This position requires:

• Use of hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, stand, sit (8 hours a day or more).
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more).
• Reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs).
• Climbing, gripping, grasping, and twisting using hands and wrists.
• Bending and stooping for long periods of time.
• Working below knee levels and above shoulder level for short periods of time.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance starting the same day you do.
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Robust 401(k) Savings Plan with a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. Company-match increases to up to 10% based on your contribution amount and years of service.
• Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access to earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Up to 15 days paid time-off plus 9 paid holidays.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.