Junior Product Developer

SAKATA TÜRKİYE

Junior Product Developer (M/F) 

Limited Duration for 6 Months

Context 

Sakata Vegetables Europe is a subsidiary of Sakata Seed Corporation (Japan) and is responsible for the development and expansion of the activities across the EMEA area. With our wide array of vegetable seeds, we want to create a confidence-based relationship with our customers, working to our age-old motto of Quality, Reliability and Service.

The main objective assigned to the Junior Product Developer is to organize, follow up and report about the trial program defined each year by Marketing, Sales and Research departments.

This is a position planned for 6 months. An extension might be possible as per evaluation of the management by the end of the programme for another 6 months or longer.

This position is located in Eskisehir, Türkiye and reports to Product Development Manager.

Expected End Results

Organize and set up practically trial program for pre-commercial and commercial varieties defined by Marketing, Sales departments and in some specific cases by Research Department.

- Provide detailed reporting about varieties for Product Development Manager.

- Provide most accurate technical advises to customers (growers, dealers, distributors…) about varieties in terms of crop management, diseases’ resistance, bolting resistance, heat & cold tolerance…etc.

- Keep on reporting about new competitors’ varieties performances and local trends

- Participate and/or help to organize open days, exhibitions or fairs or other events of e.g., customers

- Participate to conferences or special meetings and provide reporting to management

- Provide help and support in the organization of local visits from Sakata colleagues, foreign customers, officials…etc.

Necessary Contacts for the Job

 Internal contacts:

- Manager: daily

- Local sales and PD team: Daily / Weekly

- Colleagues from other areas & regions: Monthly / depending on visits

External contacts:

- Customers: Daily / Weekly

- Local competitor’s representatives: Weekly/Monthly/Yearly

- Local public trial stations: Yearly depending on trial organization

Key Figures

Number of trial reports versus trial program

- Quality of the trials on the ground as well as reporting

- OPEX budget: strict control + explanation of discrepancies

 Required Skills

 Core knowledge:

- Seed Industry Knowledge

Job knowledge:

- Agricultural technical skills: crop management, growers’ needs and constraints

- IT basics: Excel, Word, PPT + specific reporting tools

Job know-how:

- Data and statistical analysis

- Prioritize skills

Core soft skills:

- Ability to work in teams

- Flexibility/ adaptability/ ability to deal with a changing environment

- Anticipation

- Reliability

- Autonomy, initiative, and self-questioning

- Confidentiality

Job soft skills:

- Communication skills / intercultural and relational abilities

- Organizational skills

- Sense of service / customer service attitude

- Cultural openness