Job Type
Full-time
Description
This role is responsible for developing and executing product strategies for a defined portfolio of crops across the full product lifecycle. The Product Manager serves as a bridge between market needs and product development, working closely with breeding, production, sales, marketing, and operations teams to deliver commercially successful products. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of horticultural products, a deep passion for plants, the ability to connect customer needs with product development, and a clear communication style.
Job Responsibilities and duties- Own the performance management of the assigned crop portfolio and provide recommendations on investment, expansion, maintenance, or discontinuation of products.
- Develop and execute product launches, including positioning, market differentiation, and go-to-market strategy, while monitoring post-launch performance and adjusting strategies as needed to align with overall business objectives and commercial goals.
- Manage product trialing activities to ensure accurate data collection, documentation (including photos and video), and reporting to support product validation, commercialization decisions, and successful market performance.
- Leverage sales performance data, trial results, and direct engagement with growers and industry stakeholders to identify market trends, customer needs, and competitive opportunities that inform product strategy and portfolio decisions.
- Evaluate the competitive positioning of assigned crops, identifying key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and areas for differentiation relative to competing offerings.
- Partner closely with breeding teams to align breeding priorities, product concepts, and development timelines with market needs, portfolio strategy, and commercial opportunities.
- Partner with production operations teams to align supply availability with commercial demand and launch timing.
- Support sales teams with product knowledge, positioning, and materials to drive successful market adoption.
- Present product information, trial results, and launch updates to internal teams, growers, and external audiences, including presentations at trade shows and industry events.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience in horticulture, product management, production, or trialing, with exposure to product development or portfolio management.
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or a related field. A background in horticulture, botany, or plant science is a plus.
- Ability to understand strengths and weaknesses of Ball FloraPlant products and competitor products in relevant crops.
- Proven ability to lead, manage, support, and motivate colleagues while fostering a positive culture.
- Excellent project management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
- Data-driven decision-making and the ability to analyze market trends are important.
- Ability to align product and portfolio decisions with business objectives while balancing internal priorities and external grower and market needs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and comfort working with digital tools and business systems, with the ability to quickly learn new software platforms.
- Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives
- Manages complexity: Acquires data from multiple and diverse sources when solving problems.
- Global perspective: Looks toward the broadest possible view of an issue or challenge.
- Plans and aligns: Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals.
- Decision quality: Makes sound decisions, even in the absence of complete information.
- A genuine passion for plants is highly desirable.
Physical Requirements- Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds several times per day.
- Domestic and international travel of approximately 30-35% is required, depending on the needs of the role and the season.
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods in a greenhouse or during outdoor field trials.
- May be required to push or pull benches; weight requirements vary by facility.
- May be required to kneel or bend.
- Ability to work in various greenhouse conditions and outdoor elements, including heat, cold, rain, mud, and humidity (approximately 50% of the time).
- Minimal climbing and balancing required (less than 1% of the time).
Salary Range: $75k-$90k
In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:
- Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
- 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
- Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
- Tuition assistance
- An onsite subsidized café overlooking 30 acres of renowned display gardens and
- restored natural areas
- Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs
Salary Description
75k-90k
