Product Manager

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to addressing global agricultural challenges. Established to enhance the productivity and sustainability of maize and wheat production systems, CIMMYT focuses on improving the quantity, quality, and reliability of these staple crops. The organization operates primarily in the Global South, working closely with resource-poor farmers to enhance their livelihoods and resilience through applied agricultural science. CIMMYT fosters strong partnerships with various stakeholders to create a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system while adhering to planetary boundaries. The organization is committed to social inclusiveness and gender equality, encouraging diverse participation in agricultural innovation. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

Job Overview:
The Product Manager role at CIMMYT is focused on strengthening demand-led product development and delivery for dryland crops, specifically in East and Southern Africa. This position is crucial for ensuring that breeding pipelines translate into market-relevant and socially inclusive products that are validated with stakeholders and adopted at scale. The Product Manager will provide comprehensive product leadership, overseeing the entire product lifecycle from definition through late-stage validation to commercialization readiness for crops such as sorghum, pearl millet, and groundnut. The incumbent will facilitate effective communication and handover of candidate products across various functions, including Market Intelligence, Breeding, and Seed Systems, as well as with external partners and industry stakeholders. This role requires travel across East and Southern Africa to support partner engagement, field validation, and commercialization activities, making it essential for the Product Manager to have a strong understanding of the regional agricultural landscape and market dynamics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Product Manager will be responsible for several key areas:

• Product Strategy and Definition: Collaborate with Market Intelligence, Seed Systems, and value chain actors to document drivers of variety replacement and adoption, informing product cycle strategy. Define and validate Target Product Profiles (TPPs) supported by robust business cases, ensuring they are utilized by breeding teams for selection decisions. Incorporate socially inclusive needs, particularly those of women and youth, into product development and market strategies.
• Pipeline Governance and Advancement Decisions: Manage advanced testing, ensuring qualitative and quantitative data from on-farm trials are organized and fit for purpose. Support transparent, evidence-based germplasm advancement processes from late-stage testing through to commercialization recommendations. Promote good data practices and clear decision criteria aligned with TPPs.
• Validation, Release, and Commercialization Readiness: Coordinate with the Seed Systems unit and seed industry to ensure comprehensive seed production information is available for products recommended for release. Develop product dossiers and materials for release, licensing, and commercialization decisions. Facilitate feedback loops from farmers and stakeholders back into product design and breeding priorities.
• Planning, Partnerships, and Capacity Development: Contribute to product design and management modules, work plan development, execution, and reporting. Manage budgets associated with product management and testing activities. Build capacity among CIMMYT colleagues and external partners in modern product management approaches. Contribute to publications, project reports, and fundraising efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an MSc or higher in crop sciences, plant breeding, agricultural economics, seed science and technology, agronomy, or a related field. A minimum of four years of experience in seed product management, marketing of seed hybrids/varieties, or business administration is desirable. Experience in the commercial seed industry in Africa and a demonstrated understanding of industry trends and value chain developments are essential. A working knowledge of product development principles, including requirements for variety adoption and marketing methods, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or higher in relevant fields such as crop sciences, plant breeding, agricultural economics, seed science and technology, or agronomy. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of agricultural product management and development.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least four years of relevant experience in seed product management, marketing, or business administration. Experience specifically within the commercial seed industry in Africa is highly desirable, as it provides valuable insights into market dynamics and value chain trends that are critical for the role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with external partners. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the East and Southern African regions would be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is initially fixed-term for three years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. CIMMYT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children's education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contributions to a retirement plan, and generous relocation assistance. Candidates are required to apply online, submitting a CV with contact details of three work-related references and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer, fostering a multicultural work environment that values gender equality and diversity.