Product Development Manager Hybrid Vegetable Seeds Agronomist

Department: Product Development & Technical Services

Reports To: Managing Director

Location: Arusha, Tanzania

Travel Requirement: 40–60% within Tanzania 

Position Summary

The Product Development Manager will lead the introduction, evaluation, registration, commercialization, and lifecycle management of hybrid vegetable seed varieties for Zasco Tanzania. The role serves as the technical bridge between international breeding companies, regulatory authorities, sales teams, growers, and commercial partners.

The objective is to build a competitive hybrid portfolio that delivers superior performance to farmers while supporting Zasco's long-term growth strategy in Tanzania and neighboring markets. This role combines scientific evaluation with commercial decision-making and requires close collaboration across R&D, marketing, sales, production, and regulatory functions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Portfolio Development

• Develop and manage Zasco's hybrid vegetable seed portfolio.
• Identify promising hybrid varieties from international breeding companies.
• Develop annual product pipeline plans.
• Recommend product introductions and product discontinuation based on market performance.

2. Variety Evaluation & Field Trials

• Design and implement multi-location field trials across Tanzania.
• Coordinate pre-commercial demonstrations with farmers and dealers.
• Collect and analyze agronomic and commercial performance data.
• Compare candidate hybrids against competitor varieties.
• Prepare technical reports and product recommendations.

3. Variety Registration

• Coordinate DUS and NPT requirements.
• Manage the registration process with TOSCI.
• Liaise with research institutes and regulatory authorities.
• Maintain all registration documentation.

4. Market Intelligence

• Monitor competitor hybrid portfolios.
• Identify market gaps.
• Visit growers and distributors regularly.
• Analyze customer needs by region and crop.

5. Product Positioning & Commercial Launch

Work with Marketing and Sales to:

• Develop technical product sheets.
• Prepare launch plans.
• Develop pricing recommendations.
• Create value propositions.
• Prepare demonstration programs.
• Support dealer meetings and field days.

6. Technical Support

Provide technical support for:

• Sales team
• Dealers
• Commercial growers

8. Forecasting & Supply Planning

Work with Supply Chain to:

• Forecast demand
• Estimate launch quantities
• Monitor inventory
• Recommend phase-in/phase-out plans

9. Data Management

Maintain databases covering:

• Trial results
• Disease resistance
• Yield data
• Quality characteristics
• Market feedback
• Competitor comparisons

10. Team Development

Provide training on:

• Hybrid characteristics
• Product positioning
• Trial protocols
• Data collection standards

Qualifications

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Horticulture, or Plant Science.

Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Plant Breeding, Seed Science, Genetics, or Horticulture.

Experience

Required:

• Minimum 5 years in the seed industry.
• Experience with hybrid vegetable seeds.
• Experience conducting variety trials.
• Product development or technical agronomy experience.
• Knowledge of seed registration processes.

Preferred:

• Experience with multinational seed companies.
• Exposure to breeding or product management.

Technical Skills

• Hybrid vegetable seed production
• Variety evaluation
• Experimental design
• Statistical data analysis
• Agronomy
• Disease identification
• Product lifecycle management
• Seed regulations
• Microsoft Excel

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Scientific analysis
• Leadership
• Communication
• Project management
• Decision making
• Negotiation
• Customer focus
• Innovation
• Problem solving