Product Manager, Dryland Crops Program (DCP)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

CIMMYT works throughout the developing world to improve livelihoods and foster more productive, sustainable maize and wheat farming. Our portfolio squarely targets critical challenges, including food insecurity and malnutrition, climate change and environmental degradation.
Through collaborative research, partnerships, and training, the center helps to build and strengthen a new generation of national agricultural research and extension services in maize- and wheat-growing nations. As a member of the CGIAR System composed of 15 agricultural research centers, CIMMYT leads the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, which align and add value to the efforts of more than 500 partners.

JOB SUMMARY

RequirementsMSc or higher in crop sciences, plant breeding, agricultural economics, seed science and technology, agronomy, or a related field.Four or more years of experience in seed product management, marketing of seed hybrids/varieties, and/or business administration (desirable).Agrobusiness experience in the commercial seed industry in Africa and/or demonstrated understanding of industry and value chain trends and developments.Working knowledge of product development principles, including understanding requirements for variety adoption and practical methods for marketing.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Product strategy and definitionWork with Market Intelligence, Seed Systems, and value chain actors to understand and document drivers of variety replacement and adoption, and to inform product cycle strategy.Ensure Target Product Profiles (TPPs) are defined, validated, and supported by robust business cases, and are adopted and used by breeding teams to guide selection decisions.Ensure socially inclusive needs and circumstances, particularly of women and youth, are intentionally incorporated into target setting, product development, and market strategies.Pipeline governance and advancement decisionsManage advanced testing and ensure qualitative and quantitative data from on-farm trials and pertinent studies are available, organized, and fit-for-purpose for product advancement meetings.Support transparent, evidence-based germplasm advancement processes from late-stage testing through recommendation for release and commercialization.Promote good data practices and clear decision criteria aligned to TPPs, including documentation of trade-offs and risks.Validation, release and commercialization readinessCoordinate with the Seed Systems unit and the seed industry to ensure complete seed production and multiplication information is available for products recommended for release.Support development of product dossiers and related materials required to inform release, licensing, and commercialization decisions with partners and national authorities.Facilitate structured feedback loops from farmers, seed companies, and other stakeholders back into product design and breeding priorities.Planning, partnerships and capacity developmentContribute to DCP and CGIAR product design and management modules, annual and multi-year work plan development, execution, and reporting.Manage and track budgets associated with product management and late-stage testing activities, in line with CIMMYT financial policies and donor requirements.Build capacity of CIMMYT colleagues and external partners in modern product management and delivery approaches for dryland crops.Contribute to refereed publications, project reports, knowledge products, and fundraising.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Partnerships, Product management, Sales strategy, Marketing, Product development, Pest and disease control

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Primary school