Agronomy Manager

Company Description

Violleau focuses on in the production of specialty organic fertilizers and the marketing of biocontrol products for the European bio market. Taking the environment into account is in our DNA; our activity is part of the circular economy as we valorize animal and plant by-products from agricultural and agri-food activities into organic fertilizers and support the productivity of European farmers by proposing right biocontrol products.

Violleau is part of Tessenderlo Group (Euronext: TESB), an industrial group that is a global leader in many different sectors, including agriculture, valorizing bio-residuals, energy, and providing industrial solutions with a focus on water. Tessenderlo Group employs more than 4,800 people, is a leader in most of the markets in which it operates, and it recorded a consolidated revenue of 2.1 billion EUR in 2021.

**Job Description**:
The main focus is to lead agronomical development work to support Violleau’s growth ambitions in the EU organic market with focus on crop nutrition.

In line with Violleau’ s long term ambition and identified potential, you support the agronomy, sales, development, and innovation targets of the business unit
- Agronomy and sales

Identify/ reinforce value proposition of Violleau’s fertilizers
Manage a program of product field trials in the region to promote the benefits & value proposition of the product portfolio
Maintain, update and actively utilize a network of technical contacts to promote the technical benefits of the products as to develop sales.
Participate in the production of technical, marketing & publicity material
Provide technical support to customers (i.e., distributors and growers) and Violleau sales team. Advise & influence as to grow sales by supporting commercial distributors
Ensures highest level of product stewardship on all products including product risk liabilities
Collaborates with agronomy managers from other business units
- Product development and Innovation

Supports the development of new products, formulations & additives to provide optimal value to distributors and growers and further specialize product line
Takes the lead on agronomy related innovation projects and proposes new innovation ideas for development with innovation teams

Budget: Prepare annual trial budget; schedule expenditures; analyze variances; initiate corrective actions & submit periodic reports as required
Engage actively in relevant industry organizations, cross-functional associations, and seminars/conventions/events that provide educational, networking, and lead to more sales.
Regulatory: keeps up to date with fertilizer legislation together with experts within Tessenderlo group and advises on regulatory path for Violeau’s products

**Qualifications**:
Master’s Degree in Agronomy (or equivalent by training)

5- 8 years of relevant agronomical experience in fertilizers / crop nutrition

Good knowledge of EU organic agriculture

Understanding of B-to-B international environment and economical, legal and regulatory aspects. Basic knowledge/understanding of financial concepts

Entrepreneurial, assuming responsibility for performance, recognizing opportunities and acting efficiently

Self-resilient / highly motivated / strong communication skills

Prepared to travel regularly in France and occasionally in other parts of the EU (hold a work permit)

French speaking and a good level of English

Organized, disciplined and fact-based decision taking

Knowledge of usual software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Additional Information

You will be part of a startup within a big international group, with a lot of development and growth foreseen.