Lead - Product Development

Do you want to be part of a fast-growing tech startup? building innovative and sustainable technology in the Agriculture sector, and working on the projects that define the larger outcome for the generation

About AgroStar: AgroStar is Indias foremost AgTech start-up with a mission of #HelpingFarmersWin. Shardul and Sitanshu started AgroStar with a vision to solve two of the biggest problems in Indian agriculture - Lack of guidance for scientific/sustainable farming & limited access to great quality farm inputs. Today, AgroStar provides full-stack solutions to millions of farmers across 11 Indian states via an omnichannel approach. Along the journey, we have built Indias largest agronomy advisory centre, a highly engaged digital farmer network with over 9.5 million users, and a retail network of 10,000+ stores. These technology-enabled channels work together to help farmers produce better and achieve higher price realisations by providing appropriate advice, timely input delivery, and output market linkages.

In March 2022, we acquired INI Farms, and with this, we are now exporting our farmers produce to over 35+ countries across the globe.

With massive synergies across the value chain to unlock, we are excited about our next exponential growth phase while being more mission-focused than ever! #HelpingFarmersWin!

Backed by prominent investors and partners, we are rapidly growing our full-stack platform and access to credit.

Responsibilities:

• Drive hybrid/ variety evaluations program, including development of protocols/designing & conducting scientific experiments, and front-line demonstrations (FLD).
• Ensure scientific data recording & data analysis by leveraging advanced statistical tools to ensure valid and scientific conclusions for launching new hybrid varieties.
• Build and train a newly formed PD team for conducting scientific experiments, advanced data recording procedures and strengthen their overall knowledge of Agriculture, crops and geographies.
• Coordinate with State Agriculture Universities (SAU) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for conducting coordinated trials and evaluation of our crops and CP/CN products.
• Help the sales, marketing team in defining the USP of hybrid and varieties of various crops and other products for greater sales promotions.
• Regular interface with the field sales team, retailers to understand the current field challenges and provide support in query resolutions.

Qualifications

• A Postgraduate (MSc/PhD) in Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics Plant breeding. A
• PhD candidates with practical field experience in conducting field evaluations of several crops would be preferred.
• At least 10-15 years of experience in field evaluation of various crops and a deep understanding of various agro-climatic zones.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of crop agronomy of field and vegetable crops grown under varied agroclimatic regions.
• Data management skills with deep knowledge of various statistical tools and data recording procedures of various crops.
• A sound techno commercial skills with market and competitor insights to ensure competitive evaluations and launch of robust hybrids and varieties.
• Knowledge of market segmentation of multiple crops in various states and defining/identifying market needs of these segmentations.
• A team player with demonstrated skills in training, leading and motivating the team members for achieving trial excellence in order to lead the hybrid advancement process.
• Must have great interpersonal skills and networking with internal stakeholders (Sales, Business, Category, R&D team) and external stakeholders, especially scientists in state agricultural universities and ICAR institutes across the country
• Good presentation and communication skills, and able to participate in various conferences and scientific forums to represent Agrostar.

Most importantly, we are looking for passionate intrapreneurs who want to work at the grassroots level, drive impact in Indias biggest sector, & Help Farmers Win!