Ensure 80 Acres is the global leader in indoor farming by developing disruptive new products and driving innovation across the company's existing product portfolio.
Constantly strive to elevate the company's value proposition to the consumer.
Lead the company's research, plant science, microbiology, food science, and nutrition teams.
Establish baselines and drive improvement in marketable attributes across all products including flavor, nutrition, and organoleptics to maximize consumer value and drive product-level differentiation.
Develop novel products, methods, and innovations to expand the company's product lines into new categories and lines of business.
Evaluate, prioritize, and oversee all company R&D initiatives, ensuring coordination and staffing across all research facilities.
Work closely with the technology, agronomy, operations, and commercial teams to drive innovation around new products, crops, and growing practices.
Develop and maintain relationships with key academic institutions, innovation partners, and sources of technical talent.
Other duties as assigned.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture
5+ years experience in commercial R&D, product development, or practical academic research
Experience leading complex interdisciplinary teams and technical initiatives
Experience reading, writing, and publishing technical research papers and patent applications
Experience with SPSS, R, SAS, STATA, Python, Apache Spark, or other statistical analytical software packages
Inquisitive and creative problem-solver with a passion for constant learning
Excellent oral and written communication skills, judgment, and technical aptitude
Unquestioned integrity and reliability
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES (PREFERRED)
Experience leading breeding and genetic development programs of fruit and vegetable crops
Experience with commercial production of fruit and vegetable food crops
EDUCATION
Advanced degree in plant science or related field of horticulture or research
