Product Technician II

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 II

Onsite Albion, ME

Position Summary

The Product Technician II is the primary technical contact for a defined group of crops and responsible for evaluating the field performance of variety candidates for the Johnny's Selected Seeds product assortment.

The Product Technician II accomplishes this by working closely with product management to acquire and trial variety samples, prepare reports from trials for internal and external use, and answer technical questions about assigned crops as they arise. This is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Product Selection and Trialing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct annual variety performance trials to effectively evaluate varieties against JSS product specifications and in line with the JSS mission
  • Collaborate with product managers to develop trial goals
  • Assemble sample request list with input from product managers
  • Maintain accurate records of samples requested versus samples received
  • 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 managers 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
  • 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 with the range of industry standard and competitor varieties for assigned crops
• Develop & maintain professional relationships with all supplier companies from whom JSS currently sources product; support hosts of supplier visit as requested
• Report on departmental metrics
• Participation in Product Advancement Meetings
• Support training for Product Technician I

Education

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelors, with relevant experience

Qualifications & Skills

• 2 years applied commercial growing experience, preferably at the same farm
• Commercial variety trialing and/or seed sales representative experience
• Ability to prioritize, self-manage, and seek help when necessary.
• 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

• Customary Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing
• 401(k)
• Employee Discount
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave
• 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.