Pipeline Development Lead - Field Crops

Vylor; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits for family

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Vylor is seeking a Pipeline Development Lead to drive strategic alignment and execution across the global Field Crops seed innovation portfolio. You will translate strategy into roadmaps, lead investments, and oversee pipeline lifecycle while partnering with finance and external collaborators.

The role requires strong leadership, deep agronomy/biotech experience, and the ability to influence across functions to enable business success.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of scientific experience in breeding, advanced genetics, biotechnology, regulatory, or technical agronomy.
• 5-10 years of commercial or relevant industry experience in sales, product development, product management, marketing, or sales.
• Scientific or commercial leadership experience with depth to solve complex technical problems and deliver solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and make data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable innovation roadmaps across R&D.
• Lead long-range planning and priority investments with stakeholders.
• Oversee Field Crops R&D pipeline optimization and lifecycle management.
• Develop business cases with finance, portfolio analysis, and global leads.
• Lead cross-functional teams through stage-gate processes and milestones.
• Champion innovation culture and mentor cross-functional teams.

Skills

Agricultural industry understanding

Innovation mindset

Financial acumen

Thought leadership

Influence across functions

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Plant Science/Genetics/Agronomy/Business

Job description

The Pipeline Development Lead is a strategic role responsible for driving alignment and operational excellence across the global Field Crops seed innovation portfolio. This role ensures that innovation investments are prioritized, resourced, and executed to deliver transformative solutions in seeds and advanced genetics technologies, aligned with long-term business strategy, global crop portfolio strategies, and market needs.

Innovation Portfolio Leadership & Strategic Enablement

• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable innovation roadmaps across R&D.
• Lead long-range planning and partner with internal stakeholders on R&D investment prioritization.
• Oversee Field Crops R&D pipeline optimization and lifecycle management of pipeline innovations.
• Lead business case development for each project in partnership with finance, portfolio analysis, and global portfolio leads.
• Lead cross-functional teams through stage-gate processes and commercialization milestones.

Innovation Governance & Operational Excellence

• Steward innovation management systems and planning cycles.
• Ensure consistency and simplification across resource costing, data inputs, and reporting.
• Partner with finance and R&D sub-functions to align budgets and capacity planning.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Partnerships

• Build strategic relationships with industry partners, research organizations, and academic institutions.
• Represent the organization in innovation forums, conferences, and public engagements.
• Partner with R&D leadership teams to identify external collaboration opportunities aligned with innovation strategy.

Leadership & Change Management

• Champion innovation culture and organizational transformation.
• Mentor cross-functional teams and embed innovation management principles across the organization.
• Drive change initiatives that enhance strategic alignment and employee engagement.

Preferred Skills And Qualifications

• Keen understanding of agricultural industry, global seed markets, market dynamics, and customer needs, and the overall business
• Strong innovation mindset to think creatively and differentiate our product portfolio in a global market.
• Business financial acumen; demonstrated experience in building project business cases and financial metrics, e.g., NPV, IRR, ROI.
• Demonstrated ability as a thought leader, challenging status quo and driving investment prioritizations to enable business success.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others, working collaboratively across functions toward an aligned business strategy.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams towards common goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships both internally and externally.

Education

• Advanced degree (M.S., MBA, or Ph.D. preferred) in Plant Science, Genetics, Agronomy, Business, or related field.

Experience

• 5-10 years of scientific experience in breeding, advanced genetics, biotechnology, regulatory, or technical agronomy.
• 5-10 years of commercial or relevant industry experience in sales agronomy, product development, product management, marketing, or sales.
• Scientific or commercial leadership experience with the depth and breadth of technical expertise to solve complex technical problems and deliver comprehensive solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and make data-driven decisions.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.