Commercial Operations Associate

PowerPollen is looking to hire a Commercial Operations Associate who is a go-getter that enjoys being in the action, working with their hands, and has an appreciation for the agriculture industry. This opportunity will allow you to work on cutting-edge technologies and be part of innovative work that has never been done.

Job purpose

The Commercial Operations Associate will play a key role in expanding PowerPollen® technologies by demonstrating successful, consistent field performance under diverse agronomic conditions and crop genetics. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on field work, agronomics, innovative agricultural technologies, and interacting directly with farming operations.  The individual in this position works seamlessly across all departments, locations, teams, and leadership at all levels to ensure effective execution and alignment.

Duties and responsibilities

Operate field equipment to company standards showcasing the capabilities of PowerPollen technology

• Learn operational requirements to operate high-clearance field equipment safely and effectively to PowerPollen specifications under minimal supervision.
• Become capable of identifying equipment failure points and adjusting / repairing minor aspects in the field to enable ongoing operations.
• Safely operate equipment to PowerPollen specifications under minimum supervision and lead others to do the same.

Ensure operational effectiveness in customer and R&D fields

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external customers in order to understand their needs and manage expectations.
• Utilize field and agronomic expertise to identify opportunities for PowerPollen technology integration that drives value for customers.
• Review and understand field operation objectives before execution.
• Execute field research protocols accurately and completely, establishing necessary controls and maintaining detailed records.
• Assist with sample harvest, processing and data collection as needed.
• Ensure proper experimental methods are followed by field crews.
• Supervise field crews as assigned.
• Keep detailed records of activities for use in reports and data summaries.

Collaborate internally to facilitate continuous improvement of PowerPollen technologies

• Lead field execution efforts that support scaling and refinement of PowerPollen’s operational processes.
• Effectively communicate customers needs to leadership.
• Collaborate with PowerPollen R& D teams to identify and develop process improvements to existing PowerPollen technologies.
• Support the development, implementation, execution, and improvement of protocols and user documentation for PowerPollen.
• Build collaborative relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Ensure understanding of PowerPollen’s research operations and business services objectives.
• Effectively communicate and present to leadership teams on topics related to key areas of accountability; providing insight, lessons learned, enhancements, issues and resolution proposals.

Establish appropriate field layout for demonstrating PowerPollen technology

• Review, discuss, and optimize field layout with team lead field by field as needed.
• Assist with selection of appropriate test sites within fields.
• Mark out trials to ensure treatments are correctly located and applied.
• Record / map each field to ensure tracking of treatments and sample locations.

Customer Relations

• Present self and PowerPollen in a professional, safe, and efficient seed production minded manner in all interactions with customers.
• Adhere to all standards and protocols agreed upon by both PowerPollen and customer while in customer field setting.
• Assist and instruct others on appropriate customer specific protocols (safety and business operations) as agreed upon between PowerPollen and the customer.

Safety

• Follow all safety protocols and positively encourage other team members to do the same to support a safety-first culture.

Qualifications

• BS degree plus experience in a science related role at the research assistant level or beyond with field experience.
• Experience in maize seed production is a plus.
• Strong technical aptitude and familiarity with software systems.
• Knowledgeable of job and ag-related safety regulations and protocols.
• Adaptable and interested in continually changing work and physical environments. Self-sufficient and self-starter capable of entering a new geography, acclimate quickly and reliably to field, work team, and personal living conditions.
• Experience working in a start-up environment or experience and genuine interest in working in a rapidly evolving and changing atmosphere including comfort working with assigned areas of responsibility as well as helping others in their areas of expertise as needed.
• Ability to work independently in the field with minimal supervision, good situational awareness and self-direction.
• Previous experience overseeing teams or crews including employees and contracted labor preferred.
• Positive, driven, self-motivated, with a problem-solving attitude and ability to work with highly effective teams.
• Highly organized.
• Willing to travel (estimated 30-40% with periods of extended travel e.g. 2 – 3 weeks at a site), possibly on short-notice. Additional travel to off-season locations both domestic U.S. and international for extended times possible.

Working conditions

This position requires work in varying conditions including office, field, warehouse and laboratory spaces throughout the year including crop fields when weather conditions are extremely hot/humid, and insects are present. Safe operation of motor vehicles on and off-road including field equipment and towing is expected.

Physical requirements

The position involves physical activity including lifting objects up to 50 pounds, walking on uneven terrain, ability to tolerate heat and humidity conditions typical of agricultural outdoor field conditions in summer, with extended hours that will vary with crop development in different locales.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).