The successful incumbent will work out of the Mississauga head office/lab at least 3 day per week.
The pay range for this role $120,000 to $180,000 CAD, with final compensation being determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and internal equity. Where applicable, location and market data may also influence the final offer.
Your core mission as part of the Technology team is to lead the research and development teams in the delivery of Company biology priorities. The major focus areas are Vive technology and products in controlled environments and field trials, respectively. This role is also accountable for the adoption of new research methods necessary to support Vive's growth, such as in pathology, nematology, entomology and weed science.
You will deliver on this mission by:
- Working as part of the Technology Leadership Team to create Vive's research and development strategy.
- Collaborating daily with Research Chemistry, Product Development Chemistry and Product Marketing to feed Vive's high velocity pipeline.
- Delivering on field trialing and controlled environment strategic objectives with functional excellence, on budget and on time.
- Allocating resources across controlled environment, greenhouse and field programs, where project aims are complex and inter-related.
- Identifying and implementing new biological research methods in the lab and field.
- Translating broad data sets into strategic insight for peers, stakeholders and external partners.
Interacts with:
- Internally - Research, Product Development, Product Marketing Regulatory, Senior Management, Operations, Agronomy, Marketing, Joint Health and Safety Committee
- Externally - Customer, Collaborators, Consultants, Service Providers, and Suppliers
Accountability - in your first 12 months, you will...
- Strategy - Work with the Technology Leadership Team to create and implement Vive's Field Development and Controlled Environment Bioassay strategy across the function to drive decisions with maximum biological confidence
- Goals and Objectives - Embrace Company culture by becoming fluent in Vive's philosophy of goal setting, sprints, and design thinking
- Leadership - Optimize cross-functional collaborations by identifying and addressing gaps in structure and processes
- Operations - Ensure project milestones are met, assign projects and tasks as required, and monitor performance against Company objectives. Provide technical direction and ensure scientific rigor for all projects
- Budgets - Co-develop and deliver against yearly operating and capital budgets for the department
- Values - Model and amplify Vive's 5 core values as part of your commitment to professionalism
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage team members on a daily or weekly basis, including formal performance management. This role manages a hybrid team, with some members on site and others remote across Canada and the USA.
- Provide mentoring and technical guidance to develop direct and indirect reports, focusing on improving individual performance as well as team performance.
- Collaborate with members of the Technology Leadership Team to optimize and implement Vive's
research, development, and commercialization strategies. - Drive accountability and collaboration across functions to deliver projects on time and on budget.
- Provide input into development projects, the design and development of new products and systems, or on modifications/expansions of existing products.
- Seek out and implement applied research methods in both laboratory and field.
- Maintain external contacts with customers/consultants, including project leads and scientists of corporate clients and partner organizations, suppliers and independent researchers for joint and third-party research.
- Provide technical assistance to customers. Participate in professional meetings when required
- Follow all applicable employment, health and safety legislation
- Demonstrate corporate values in the performance of the work and interactions with others
- Perform other job-related duties, as necessary
Skills & Experiences
- Minimum of 12 years of experience in a relevant field, inclusive of both education and work experience.
- Your experience most likely includes an MSc or PhD in a scientific discipline such as Crop Science, Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Biology, Pathology, Entomology, Nematology or similar.
- Practical and research skills within pathology, entomology and/or nematology, especially as they relate to controlled environment testing.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills, ideally within a matrix organization.
- Excellent literature and experimental research skills; data analysis and statistical skills; very good computer skills including using artificial intelligence, ARM and other statistical software, Microsoft Office programs, and other applicable software applications
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, creativity and innovation, organizing and planning skills, ability to work under pressure in a multitask environment, good oral and written communication skills, very good interpersonal skills, team skills, leadership skills, and a propensity for continuous learning and experimenting
- Personal attributes: sense of goal, self-motivation, pride in work, objectivity, cooperativeness, approachability, positive outlook, enthusiasm, and adaptability to changing business requirements
Work Environment
- Works under general direction with respect to business objectives and Company philosophy and uses own judgment to meet and direct the company goals / needs
- Has autonomy to initiate new processes and delegate responsibilities within the functional group of the Biology Team
- Has latitude to create and implement process improvements within the confines of achieving objectives of the role
- Decisions beyond the scope of the role are generally validated or approved by senior management
- Is accountable to Vive's Chief Technology Officer and senior management
- Will be evaluated based on the overall team performance along with own individual contribution to the business
- Much of the work is performed in an environment that is normally clean and Some of the work is performed in an environment where exposures to physical, chemical and biological hazards exist under controlled conditions
- Potential hazards may include noise, temperature extremes, biohazards and hazardous chemical products. Standard safety procedures will describe personal protective devices that are mandatory requirements of performing the work
