Product Development Manager - Pedigreed Seed- WG1032

Job Description

<h3>Job Description</h3><p>Job Description<p><p>Summit Search Group is proud to partner with CANTERRA SEEDS in the recruitment of a Pedigreed Product Development Manager, a key role that supports one of Western Canada’s most trusted and collaborative agricultural brands.</p><p><br /></p><p>At CANTERRA SEEDS, we believe in growing connection — one field at a time. For nearly 30 years, we have partnered with leading plant breeders, public and private research institutions, seed growers, and farmers to bring high-performing seed solutions to Western Canadian agriculture. With the addition of Alliance Seed, our pedigreed portfolio is expanding — and so is our commitment to innovation, quality, and meaningful relationships.</p><p><br /></p><p>This role is an opportunity to directly influence the future of cereals, pulses, and special crops in Western Canada, shaping the products that farmers choose and trust.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>The Role:</strong></p><p>As Pedigreed Product Development Manager, you will play a central role in the development, evaluation, and advancement of pedigreed cereal, pulse, and specialty crop varieties across CANTERRA SEEDS and Alliance Seed brands.</p><p><br /></p><p>Reporting to the Director, Operations & Product Strategy, you will work closely with a second Product Development Manager in a collaborative two-person team, ensuring our current and future products meet the needs of Western Canadian farmers and drive long-term commercial success.</p><p>This is a high-impact role at the intersection of agronomy, product strategy, technical leadership, and commercial enablement.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></p><p><strong>Strategic Product Development</strong></p><ul><li>Define product characteristics and market requirements aligned with medium- and long-term business goals.</li><li>Build strong relationships with public and private plant breeders, research partners, and end-use customers.</li><li>Contribute to advancement and acquisition decisions for pedigreed seed products.</li></ul><p><strong>Portfolio & Lifecycle Management</strong></p><ul><li>Support forecasting, budgeting, and inventory planning in partnership with the Pedigreed Seed Sales Manager.</li><li>Oversee lifecycle management for pedigreed varieties, including registration trials.</li><li>Manage Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) applications and renewals.</li></ul><p><strong>Product Leadership</strong></p><ul><li>Design and implement variety testing, demonstration plans, and data collection programs.</li><li>Analyze trial data from breeders, provincial trials, and internal programs to inform product advancement.</li><li>Maintain agronomic, disease, and quality data for all pedigreed seed varieties.</li><li>Monitor market and competitor trends to anticipate future needs.</li></ul><p><strong>Knowledge Transfer & Technical Support</strong></p><ul><li>Deliver training and technical support to internal sales teams, retailers, and customers.</li><li>Partner with Marketing to build product-specific campaigns, tech bulletins, and agronomy content.</li><li>Offer agronomic guidance and recommendations to Territory Managers and retail partners.</li></ul><p><strong>Industry Engagement</strong></p><ul><li>Represent both brands at conferences, industry events, field days, and trade shows.</li><li>Build trust and visibility within the Western Canadian agricultural community.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p><strong>Qualifications:</strong></p><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related discipline (Master’s an asset).</li><li><strong>2+ years</strong> of experience in seed product development, agronomy, or product management.</li><li>Strong understanding of plant genetics, crop agronomy, regulatory frameworks, and seed industry standards.</li><li>Practical knowledge of breeding, seed development pipelines, and crop production systems.</li><li>Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.</li><li>Strong analytical skills with experience in forecasting, budgeting, and market evaluation.</li><li>Ability to manage multiple projects, adapt to change, and travel seasonally for meetings and field visits.</li><li>Entrepreneurial, curious, and growth-oriented mindset.</li><li>Winnipeg-based preferred; remote office may be considered.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p><strong>Why Join CANTERRA SEEDS?</strong></p><ul><li>Direct influence on the future of pedigreed seed in Western Canada.</li><li>Collaborative, innovative culture focused on meaningful relationships.</li><li>Opportunity to work alongside top breeders, researchers, and industry partners.</li><li>Competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.</li><li>A mission-driven company grounded in care, trust, and connection<strong>.</strong></li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p>For more information, or to submit your resume, please contact Gail Eckert at Summit Search Group: <span >gail.eckert@summitsearchgroup.com</span></p><p><br /></p><p><em>Summit Search Group is committed to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We strive for continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias throughout our process.</em></p><p><br /></p></p></p>