Functional Unit:  Sales

Hiring Manager Title:  Sr. Agronomy Research Sciences Manager

Job Description:  Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, is currently seeking an Agronomy Research Manager to add input and expertise to our Agronomy Research team.Responsibilities include:Lead and coordinate North America field trials to evaluate performance of an array of seed treatments (biological and chemical fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, growth hormones, micronutrients) on multiple crops. Summarize and present results which support internal business decisions and demonstrate value in cropping systems. Develop seed treatment technical information resources to support Pioneer Marketing and Sales teams. Serve as integral member of North America Agronomy Sciences, North America Seed Treatment Go-To-Market team, and Global Seed Treatment Working Group.Responsible and accountable to develop and transfer research results to support North America seed treatment strategy: business decisions, positioning in cropping systems, Sales technical training resources. Work in alignment with Marketing Directors, Sr. Marketing Managers, Seed Technology Manager, Sr. Manager: Global Seed Technologies, Business Unit Technical Services Managers, Agronomy Research Managers, and Services Managers. The main geographic responsibility is North America. Position works across major functions (e.g., Research, Sales, Marketing, Supply Management, Legal, Regulatory etc.) and external groups (e.g., industry vendors, contract research firms, universities, agric. media, etc.).Start date will be in January of 2010.

Duties/Responsibilities:  Provide strategic leadership to plan and implement seed treatment research projects with cross-functional teams representing Marketing, Sales, Research, and Supply Management.Lead seed treatment vendor contacts to source materials and develop test procedures.Ensure development and execution of an array of field test protocols which: Support business decisions through pre-commercial screening to determine and differentiate seed treatment efficacy and performance.Demonstrate value and position in cropping systems and environments.Field experiments include small-plot, mini-strip, on-farm-strip and large-field trials implemented in collaboration with Maize Trait Commercialization, Parent and Seed Research, Business Units, Marketing groups, Supply Management, and external contract researchers and universities.Work with collaborators to access test environments and develop experimental designs with capability to achieve study objectives.Spend considerable time at field evaluation sites throughout the growing season to support data collection, gather observations, and be a first-hand knowledge resource on potential seed treatment contributions to enhanced crop performance. Conduct or support data analysis from all studies.Summarize, interpret, and communicate results to various internal and external groups in presentations, research reports, Crop Insights, field days and demonstrations, etc. in ways that support North America seed treatment business decisions, product positioning and Sales technical training.Recruit, hire and evaluate performance of direct reports. Promote effective and accurate workmanship in a safe and harmonious work environment. Contribute to overall NA Agronomy Sciences research, information transfer, and training efforts. Assist with department tours and presentations, offer business and technical insight based on expertise and experience. Make decisions based on issues and advances in research pertaining to discipline of expertise and determine which of these to incorporate into research programs and evaluations.Determine allocation of resources to major impact projects for research opportunities to meet the business needs of Pioneer/DuPont most effectively

Educational Qualifications Desired:  Ph.D. preferred, M.S. required, in biological sciences with expertise in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agronomy, Weed Science, or Soil Science. At least Eight years post graduate research management experience: conceiving, coordinating, and executing extensive field research trials; interpreting and reporting results in writing and oral presentations; commercializing new products and technologies.

Competencies and Experience Desired:  Working knowledge of diverse experimental designs (small plot and strip tests) and statistics and capable of analyzing and interpreting complex data sets. Excellent speaking and technical writing skills in English and ability to communicate appropriately with diverse audiences.Strong field crop diagnostics skills and experienceFamiliar with crop production and practical knowledge of the crop business enterpriseThorough knowledge of seed industry, marketing concepts and new gene technologies.Knowledge of environmental, regulatory and product stewardship of Pioneer products and technologies and DuPont product offerings in relation to seed.Ability to work with a minimum of supervision by taking initiative to meet goals and objectivesAbility to interact with and facilitate projects across diverse internal and external groups.Ability to motivate, coach, and manage employees and interns.