Product Development Agronomy Associate

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our first commercial product harnesses the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops.  We are dedicated to providing new sustainable ways for farmers to improve yield as they work to help feed the world’s growing population. Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour.

Position: Product Development Agronomy Associate

Location: Fort Wayne, IN. Pivot Bio maintains offices in Berkeley, CA; Hayward, CA; Ames, IA and St. Louis, MO.

We are seeking a Product Development Agronomy Associate to assist a team of product development and commercial agronomists as well as aid in hands-on management of early and late state evaluation trials.  As a Product Development Agronomy Associate you will also serve as a resource for our customers and commercial teams. This role involves personnel and team development. Working between research and customer interaction will be an essential part of our agronomy and commercial team.  Help deliver next round of Pivot Bio products from our research and discovery team to the growers we support developing new business with.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planting, sampling, and harvest of product research trials in the assigned territory
• Scout assigned customer fields throughout the year for any stress, pests, or other field issues
• Participate in soil, plant, and other forms of research sampling and data collection throughout the growing season
• Support the Agronomy team with weekly field observations and updates
• Utilizing drone, imagery, and other forms of remote sensing software to evaluate field trials
• Visit and conduct Quality Assurance/Quality Control inspection of 3rd party and university trials in designated territory
• Assist Commercial Agronomist and Product Development Agronomist as needed with demo farm concept and plots to support sales and marketing
• Develop and maintain relationships with the commercial team, the Regional Sales Lead, Strategic Account Manager, Territory Sales Manager
• Assist with written agronomy research summaries that can be used to support product management, positioning, and field sales training
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technology tools for Commercial and Product Development Agronomists to use in the field with current and future products as well as grower demonstrations
• Travel up to 40% of the time

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy or related field
• Field research experience or a desire and passion for field research 
• Background in agricultural field research and understanding of agricultural products including plant nutrition, biologicals, crop protection chemicals and adjuvants/surfactants preferred
• Practical knowledge of and experience with chemical applications, data capture/entry preferred
• Ability to incorporate technology tools and systems (remote sensing, aerial imagery etc. into R&D trial work.  Willingness to assist with proof-of-concept experiments with emerging technology tools (i.e., novel sensors).
• Ability to engage/present in customer field days, meetings, as well as certain company events
• Fertilizer and fertility knowledge from products, applications, practices, and crop need preferred
• Understanding and ability to educate on nitrogen and nitrogen management
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions, i.e., heat, humidity, rain, cold, etc. for extended periods of time
• Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces
• Must be able to drive or ride in a vehicle for long periods of time
• Seasonally the workday may be expanded to allow for tasks to be completed
• Must be able to repetitively lift up to 40 lbs.

*MUST BE AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

What we offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team