Product Development Manager - Insecticides

SUMMARY:

An established manufacturer of specialised agrochemicals is seeking an experienced Product Development Manager to substantially contribute to the development of new and existing products within the designated portfolio through meticulous planning, implementation, and management of approved projects, delivering comprehensive trial results that form part of dossiers compliant with the requirements of Act 36 of 1947, all within designated timelines to meet business targets and adapt to changing global food safety trends.

POSITION INFO:

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a B. Sc. Degree in Agriculture or Natural Sciences; A post-graduate qualification would be advantageous
• Must have a CropLife Basic Crop Protection Certificate
• SACNASP accreditation would be beneficial
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in agrochemical product development and/or regulatory department
• Working knowledge of GHS labelling requirements is essential
• Comprehensive understanding of product registration requirements and processes
• Above average knowledge of crops, crop protection (biological and chemical), crop nutrition as well as the general crop protection environment
• Technical project management experience is advantageous
• Understanding of statistical methods and management of trial data on the ARM platform
• Detail orientated, analytical with a high level of accuracy in planning projects and managing trial data
• Self-motivated and driven to find solutions in executing development projects in a practical manner within set budget and timelines
• Creativity and flexibility are required in addressing challenges that arise during project execution and in contributing to data dossiers
• Ability to prioritize, re-prioritize and manage all development-related activities within set timelines
• Ability to work independently, under intense pressure at times, but maintain a high level of accuracy and meticulous preciseness especially with written tasks

• Planning, implementing, and managing the R&D trial program for designated crops and products of the portfolio in line with product strategies and project scopes, as agreed with the relevant local and global Product Managers.
• Coordinating, managing, and liaising with CROs for the timely execution of projects in accordance with timelines and budgets, ensuring accuracy of implementation and data generation, as well as concurrent report generation and reporting.
• Analyzing trial results (via ARM) and drafting summaries to demonstrate trial objectives and propose amendments for further development work, ensuring that project objectives are achieved. On completing projects, contributing to highly accurate, comprehensive yet concise registration dossiers to demonstrate that efficacy, selectivity, and residue data comply with regulations and meet claims in support of intended commercial use.
• Participating in local, regional, and global portfolio meetings by providing accurate updates on technical trial results as well as sharing technical expertise to ensure that product development remains relevant to market needs while ensuring product positioning is optimal within the portfolio and global trends.
• Maintaining accurate updates to project management, budget tracking, and regulatory tracking platforms to maintain data integrity and transparency.
• Liaising with and participating in industry body organisation committees, forums, and/or meetings to gain information and contacts on industry trends and knowledge transfer that may have strategic importance to the role and company.
• Regularly visiting trial sites to ensure trial progress is going according to plan and set timelines.
• Being accountable for managing people, setting direction, and deploying resources; responsible for performance evaluations, pay reviews, and hire/fire decisions; accountable for business functional or operational areas, processes, or programs.