5671
Job Location: Oak Brook - Illinois - United States, Modena - Italy, New Holland - Pennsylvania - United States, Zedelgem - Belgium
Category for Job Posting: Engineering and Technical
Job Type for Job Posting: Full Time
Working Mode for Job Posting: Hybrid
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Job PurposeThe
Chief Agronomy Director serves as the company's foremost authority on agronomy, crop production systems, and farming practices while leading the integration of agronomic science into product development, precision technology, and business strategy.
This executive leadership role sits at the intersection of agronomy, engineering, product development, precision agriculture, automation, and customer experience. The Chief Agronomy Director is responsible for ensuring that every product, technology, and innovation is designed around agronomic outcomes that improve customer productivity, profitability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
As the voice of both the customer and the crop, the Chief Agronomy Direector translates grower challenges into product requirements, research initiatives, technology roadmaps, and measurable customer value propositions. The role serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and an external thought leader across the agricultural industry.
Key ResponsibilitiesAgronomic Vision & Strategy- Define and lead the company's agronomic strategy to support long-term business growth and innovation.
- Identify emerging trends in crop production, sustainability, precision agriculture, and farm management.
- Advise executive leadership on future agronomic opportunities and risks affecting customers and markets.
- Develop strategic recommendations that align product investments with evolving farming systems.
Product Development & Machine Design- Partner with Product Management and Engineering teams to ensure customer agronomic needs are incorporated into machine design and technology development.
- Translate agronomic challenges into product requirements, design specifications, and innovation opportunities.
- Influence equipment architecture, automation strategies, sensing technologies, and precision solutions.
- Represent the voice of the customer throughout the product development process.
Agronomic Research & Validation- Lead the development and execution of agronomic research programs, field trials, and technology validation activities.
- Establish long-term research initiatives focused on yield improvement, profitability, soil health, sustainability, and resource efficiency.
- Build and maintain research partnerships with universities, industry organizations, growers, consultants, and research institutions.
Farm Systems Innovation- Lead a systems-based approach to innovation that considers the interaction between equipment, agronomy, fertility, tillage, water management, crop protection, and digital technologies.
- Investigate ways to optimize productivity through integrated solutions combining equipment, software, and agronomic recommendations.
- Guide innovation efforts focused on increasing yield potential while improving return on investment.
Precision Agriculture & Technology Leadership- Define the agronomic strategy for precision agriculture, autonomy, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, machine learning, robotics, and digital farming solutions.
- Partner with software, data science, and engineering teams to convert machine-generated data into actionable agronomic insights.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and their potential impact on customer productivity.
- Ensure digital tools generate practical
Customer Value Proposition Development- Quantify the agronomic and economic benefits of products, technology solutions, and management practices.
- Develop customer ROI models that demonstrate value through improvements in:
- Yield
- Input efficiency
- Labor productivity
- Operational performance
- Fuel consumption
- Sustainability outcomes
- Work closely with Marketing and Commercial teams to communicate customer outcomes rather than product features.
- Support product launches with compelling agronomic and economic validation.
Customer & Industry Engagement- Build relationships with leading producers and influencers across agriculture.
- Gather customer feedback and ensure insights influence future strategy and product development.
- Establish the company as a recognized thought leader in agronomy and agronomic innovation.
Organizational Leadership- Create alignment between agronomy, engineering, product management, precision technology, marketing, and commercial teams.
- Build organizational capability around agronomic systems thinking and customer value creation.
Experience RequiredEducation- Ph.D. preferred, Master's degree required in:
- Agronomy
- Crop Science
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Engineering
- Precision Agriculture
- Related agricultural disciplines
Experience- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in agronomy, precision agriculture, agricultural technology, product development, or crop production systems.
- Demonstrated success leading large research programs and field validation efforts.
- Experience influencing product strategy and innovation roadmaps.
- Strong understanding of agricultural equipment systems and production agriculture.
- Experience working directly with growers, dealers, universities, and industry organizations.
- Proven ability to connect technical solutions with commercial value.
Preferred QualificationsTechnical Expertise- Strong knowledge of:
- Crop production systems
- Soil fertility and nutrient management
- Planting systems
- Spraying and application technologies
- Tillage and soil management
- Harvest systems
- Precision agriculture
- Data analytics
- Automation and autonomy
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications
- Sustainability and regenerative agriculture
- Farm economics and ROI analysis
Leadership Competencies- Strategic vision and innovation mindset
- Deep customer empathy
- Systems thinking
- Technical excellence
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Executive presence and communication skills
- Cross-functional leadership
- Data-driven decision making
- Curiosity and continuous learning
- Ability to influence without authority
Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate combines the scientific expertise of a leading agronomist, the practical understanding of a progressive farmer, the technical curiosity of an innovator, and the business acumen of a product strategist. This individual can seamlessly move between field research, executive strategy discussions, product development reviews, and customer engagement activities while consistently translating agronomic insights into differentiated customer value and business growth.
Pay TransparencyThe annual salary for this role is $153,375 - $235,175 plus any applicable bonus (Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as skill, experience and qualification for the role.)
For roles open across multiple locations, the salary range indicated refers to the primary location. If a different location is considered, the applicable salary range will be communicated to candidates prior to the first interview.
What We OfferWe offer dynamic career opportunities across an international landscape.
At CNH, we understand that the best solutions come from the diverse experiences and skills of our people. Here, you will be empowered to grow your career, to follow your passion, and help build a better future. To support our employees, we offer regional comprehensive benefits, including:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Savings & Retirement benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Parental leave
- Adoption assistance
- Fertility & Family building support
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Charitable contribution matching and Volunteer Time Off
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