Product Technician I - Tools and Supplies

Johnny's Selected Seeds; Albion (ME); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Product Technician I to join its Tools and Supplies Department. This full-time role involves evaluating product performance and collaborating closely with product management to ensure the highest quality tools and supplies. If you are passionate about agriculture and eager to contribute to a mission-driven company, this position offers a unique opportunity to work in a supportive, employee-owned environment. Join a team that values your input and helps you grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on communities through superior products.

Benefits

Health Insurance (HMO, PPO, HSA)

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

401(k)

Employee Discount

Paid Time Off

Educational Assistance

Company Paid Life Insurance

Qualifications

• 2+ years of applied commercial growing experience required.
• Excellent communication skills are essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Conduct product performance trials to evaluate tools and supplies.
• Collaborate with product management to develop trial goals.
• Prepare detailed reports and maintain accurate trial data.

Skills

Commercial growing experience

Written and oral communication

Ability to prioritize and self-manage

Team collaboration

Ability to travel

Education

High school diploma or GED

BA/BS preferred

Job description

Johnny's Selected Seeds was established in 1973 by our Founder and Chairman, Rob Johnston, Jr. Today we are 100% Employee Owned. Johnny's mission is Helping families, friends, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service.

Johnny's is renowned for our exceptional customer service offering seeds, tools, supplies and information to direct-market growers and avid home gardeners. We source, breed, trial, and sell outstanding selected varieties of vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, and farm seed, as well as thoughtfully designed tools and equipment. We take pride in the wealth of information and depth of experience we offer our customer base, nationwide and globally.

If you are passionate about good, healthy food and would choose to work for a company with fellow co-owners who are passionate about our mission and values, Johnny's may be the place for you!

Product Technician I - Tools and Supplies

Onsite Albion, ME

Position Summary

The Product Technician I is the primary technical contact for the full range of products within the Tools and Supplies Department. Responsibilities include evaluating the performance of each new product under consideration for the Johnny's Selected Seeds Tools and Supplies product line.

The Product Technician I accomplishes this by working closely with product management or Business Unit Manager and Engineer to acquire and trial pre-production samples, prepare reports from trials for internal and external use, and answer technical questions about tools and supplies as they arise. This is a full-time position reporting to the Business Unit Manager for Tools and Supplies

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual product performance trials at the JSS R&D facility to effectively evaluate product
• Collaborate with product management team to develop trial goals
• Assemble sample request list with input from product managers
• Maintain accurate records of samples requested versus samples received, keep the seed sample inventory tidy
• Map trial
• Design and conduct annual product development (PD) performance trials at the JSS facility
• Effectively and proactively communicate trial needs to the farm team during planning and execution periods
• Collaborate with the farm team to develop ideas for efficiency gains and overall program improvements
• Review trials once evaluated with product managers, making confident, clear and concise product advancement recommendations
• Record & maintain accurate trial data utilizing conditional formatting or other basic analysis tools, review and refine evaluation criteria with guidance from product managers
• Prepare advanced internal and external trial reports
• Prepare advanced trial summaries
• Participate cross functionally to integrate the PD trials with Breeder nurseries, regional Sales & Marketing activities, and PM initiatives to support the commercial activities of the company
• Co-present with product management team during field forum presentations
• Co-Present at crop walk presentations
• Actively participate in breeding team meetings by providing detailed trial results and recommendations for advancing products
• Evaluate production grow outs
• Independently maintain alternate product reference
• Co-present during annual new product presentations
• Function as the primary technical expert for assigned crops with JSS staff, customers, vendors and cooperators
• Support sales and marketing in product promotions by preparing detailed product information for crops and products as requested by product managers
• Populate NPIS entries with technical information and copy suggestions
• Participate in annual catalog process by providing product managers with suggested edits prior to data dump and reviewing all catalog layouts to provide feedback to product managers
• Maintain working knowledge of competitors across 30+ tools and supplies sub-categories
• Develop & maintain professional relationships with all supplier companies from whom JSS currently sources product; support hosts of supplier visits as requested
• Report on departmental metrics
• Participation in Product Advancement Meetings
• Support training of Research Assistant

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• BA/BS preferred, with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Qualifications & Skills

• 2+ years applied commercial growing experience, preferably at the same farm
• Commercial variety trialing and/or seed sales experience
• Ability to prioritize, self-manage, and seek help when necessary.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Punctuality and readiness to work.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required.
• Valid Maine driver's license.
• Ability to function as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Capable of physically working outdoors, often in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (HMO, PPO, HSA)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (Medical & Dependent Care)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing
• 401(k)
• Employee Discount
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Company Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Educational Assistance

Johnny's Selected Seeds is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status.