Product Development Specialist, Canada

Your job at Rijk Zwaan

The Product Development Specialist is responsible for developing Rijk Zwaan seed business in Southwestern Ontario. Within this role, you are responsible for organizing and following variety trials in consultation with Rijk Zwaan staff, distributors, growers and cooperating companies with a focus on vegetables. In addition, you are also responsible for product introductions and commercial sales activities for the Rijk Zwaan greenhouse product line in Southwestern Ontario.

Your contribution

We are seeking a Product Development Specialist with the following criteria:

• BS, or higher in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related field;
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in agriculture, seed business, production, or related field;
• Strong technical knowledge in regional vegetable crop production practices;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong relationship building skills;
• Ability to develop good long-term industry relationships;
• Team oriented and collaborative;
• Highly motivated and able to work independently;
• Strong ability to work in systems with trial data and summarize findings.

Position Location and Travel Requirements: based in Leamington Ontario, with occasional travel to Western Canada, USA, and Europe.

What can you expect from us:

As a Product Development Specialist you will operate in a highly motivated team of experienced and professional colleagues, and in strong cooperation with the Rijk Zwaan teams in both the USA and the Netherlands.

In addition to a dynamic and innovative work-environment with constantly new challenges, we are happy to offer you:

• A permanent contract from the start;
• Market-based salary based on job level and experience;
• Various training opportunities through our Rijk Zwaan Academy;
• A team with motivated colleagues;
• Excellent benefits: Vision, Dental, Orthodontics and Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Health Care Spending Account, family fitness benefit, and pension matching.

Rijk Zwaan is an international family company with a people-oriented culture. Rijk Zwaan is right at the start of the food chain. We develop vegetable varieties and sell the seeds produced from them globally to growers and other chain partners. From our strategic position we contribute to the world food supply. We take great pride in contributing to the health and well-being of people all over the world. Rijk Zwaan currently employs over 4,000 people globally in over 30 countries.