Market Development Manager

Horizon Ag-Products; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Ag-Products in Lakewood, CO, is seeking a Market Development Manager to own the portfolio's market-facing relationships with clients, distributors, and Horizon University, working closely with Sales to shape go-to-market strategies and educate customers on humic substance solutions.

This role requires a biochemistry or chemistry background, about 5 years in biostimulant/crop-input markets, and proven ability to present, train, and collaborate across R&D, marketing, and field teams while

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related field; business qualification is a plus.
• 5 years' experience in the biostimulant or crop-input industry in a commercial, market-development, or distributor-facing role.
• Excellent knowledge of humic substances and biostimulant solutions.
• Excellent presentation skills and commitment to educating others.
• Working knowledge of major field crops such as corn and soybeans.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow relationships with key clients and distributors.
• Align technical messages with marketing messages for training.
• Lead Horizon University training for distributors and field staff.
• Lead grower training, field demonstrations and educational tours.
• Define international go-to-market strategy market by market.
• Work with Sales to relay field intelligence and ensure pricing visibility.
• Contribute market and product information to Portfolio discussions.
• Participate in Value Creation Process projects with market input.
• Support product cannibalization and positioning analysis with market intel.
• Provide technical support on humic substances and soil science.
• Relate scientific information in written form and via presentations.
• Conduct competitive product analysis and educate customers.
• Collaborate with R&D on an as-needed basis.

Skills

Key account management

Tech marketing

Distributor training

Grower training

Go-to-market

Sales collaboration

Market intelligence

Value creation

Product positioning

Technical support

Scientific communication

Competitive analysis

R&D collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Biochemistry or Chemistry

Commercial/business qualification (a plus)

Job description

A leader in the Biostimulant industry, Horizon Ag Products began manufacturing soluble humus products for Agriculture in 1983. Based in Lakewood, CO, we are a recognized leader in our industry. With approximately 120 employees, we operate six manufacturing plants in six states and several surface mines. We strongly believe our products are of significant benefit to mankind and we make them better than anyone else in the world. We support a lifestyle of balanced priorities where everyone works hard and enjoys themselves and each other. We look out for one another and cherish the caring attitude and respect we have for one another in the workplace and beyond. Above all else, we conduct ourselves with integrity and follow the guiding principles outlined on our website, www.horizonag.com.

Summary:

The Market Development Manager role is part of the company's Portfolio Team. This position owns Portfolio's relationship with the market - clients, distributors, and Horizon University - and is the face of Portfolio to the outside world. It is also the standing link between Portfolio and Sales organization, working side by side with Sales day to day rather than at defined touch points. Focus is on positioning our portfolio in the market and educating clients, distributors, and growers on the benefit and use of our solutions technologies. This team member is the return channel through which field, distributor and client feedback reaches product positioning and prioritization discussion. The role also carries international development: identifying where Horizon's products should be positioned globally and defining go-to-market strategy market by market. Our environment is highly collaborative, and we strive to continually innovate. Thriving in both a team and individual working environments is required. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a high energy level, a strong work ethic and dedication to company goals, as well as a commitment to learning, strong problem-solving skills, effective and clear communication skills, meticulous attention to details and a commitment to maintaining a safe, clean and efficient work environment.

• Owning and growing relationships with Key clients and Distributors
• Aligning technical messages with marketing messages for seamless communication and training.
• Leading Horizon University - technical training for distributors and field staff - and jointly owning training for the internal Sales organization, translating agronomic and positioning input into a curriculum Sales can use directly
• Leading grower training, field demonstration, and educational tours, drawing on agronomic content and trial data provided by the Agronomic Development Manager
• Defining international go-to-market strategy market by market, identifying where Horizon's products should be positioned globally
• Working permanently alongside the Sales organization - not on an as-needed basis - relaying field intelligence into Portfolio discussions and ensuring Sales has visibility into positioning and pricing decisions affecting distributor conversations
• Bringing client and market feedback into Portfolio's positioning and prioritization discussions and presenting market and product information internally and to customers in an audience-specific way.
• Actively contributing to Value Creation Process projects, providing market and client-facing input in coordination with the Value Creation Coordinator
• Supporting product cannibalization and positioning analysis across the portfolio, with market intelligence from the Marketing Analyst and product economics from the Product Specialist
• Providing technical support on humic substances, soil and plant science/nutrition topics internally and to customers
• Relaying scientific information in written form, making presentations and speeches.
• Competitive product analysis and education to internal and external customers.
• Collaborating with the R&D department on an as-needed basis.

Required Education & Experience:

In addition to the qualities and skills described above, this team member should possess as many of the following qualifications as possible:

• Bachelors in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related field, a commercial or business qualification is a plus
• 5 years' experience in the biostimulant or crop-input industry in a commercial, market-development, or distributor-facing role, preferred
• Excellent knowledge of the science of humic substances and biostimulant solutions
• Excellent presentation skills and commitment to educating others
• Working knowledge of major field crops such as corn and soybeans.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.

Additional Information:

Classification: Paid bi-weekly, benefits eligible

Job Location: Lakewood, CO

Travel: Frequent, purpose-driven travel aligned with go-to-market strategy, Sales and customer needs, and major business milestones.

Horizon Ag-Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Horizon Ag-Products will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.