Valent BioSciences

Scientist

• Lead internal upstream process development efforts at the Sumitomo Biorational Company Biorational Research Center by conducting fermentation experiments in laboratory- and pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Evaluate the performance of microbial strain candidates by analysis and interpretation of fermentation data.
• Work with a team of fermentation scientists, downstream process engineers, formulations scientists, microbial engineers and analytical chemists to develop sustainable biorational solutions within the expanding field of BioAgriculture.
• Design and implement upstream processes to optimize strain performance of bacterial and fungal microorganisms to produce microbial products, metabolites and proteins.
• Mentor junior team members by training safe and proper use of fermentation and analytical equipment required to execute process development and improvement experiments.
• Provide guidance to research associates and support their professional development.
• Take primary responsibility for the operation and troubleshooting of pilot scale fermentation equipment.
• Design scale up and scale down experiments to execute seamless technology transfer between Research and Manufacturing operations.
• Build strong relationships with supporting research departments and deliver fermentations on time or ahead of schedule to biology, downstream processing, formulations, and product development teams.
• Travel to manufacturing site to launch new fermentation processes and troubleshoot current commercial processes.
• Maintain and further develop collaborative relationship with the pilot and production fermentation team at the manufacturing site.
• Execute sophisticated process development experiments utilizing statistical tools to ensure process robustness.
• Work alongside data scientists, IT, and engineering to build and maintain a digital system to organize and archive run data and electronic batch records.
• Maintain and update laboratory data and documents including electronic lab notebook and SOPs.
• Conduct all work in strict compliance with all applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standards operating procedures and/or guidelines while maintaining a clean and orderly workspace.
• Work both independently and with interdisciplinary research teams while maintaining a positive and collaborative environment.

Senior Fermentation Scientist

Sales

• Accountable for achieving sustainable solutions annual sales target (EDI)
• Establish and build rapport within key farming operations in the pacific northwest.
• Execute short- and long-term sustainable solutions portfolio business plans in alignment with Regional and Territory account managers.
• Assist in providing internal insights into the complexity of large farming operations and organizations; understand the ownership stakes, partnership opportunities, downstream production for these accounts (fresh or processed, storage, export) and communicate these insights to Valent USA and Valent Group Companies leadership.
• Engage with field market development team on trial work, product recommendations, technical training needs/insights to achieve sales target.
• Articulate and execute business development plans for respective territory; prioritize crops, customers and trial work that will achieve biorational sales target.
• Engage with key industry partners and trade organizations at shows and industry events, partner with key opinion leaders within specialty cropping systems in both conventional and organic production along with minor acre row crop.
• Ensure Valent products are positioned correctly within the respective organization through procurement and agronomy teams such as products are secured on bid sheets.
• Promote Valent’s sustainable solutions criteria (people, planet, productivity) highlighting key sustainable attributes and practices of our portfolio.

Sustainable Solutions Sales Specialist

Operations

• Develop and execute marketing strategies that position products effectively within targeted market segments to achieve budgeted sales, profit, and market share objectives
• Lead the development of marketing strategies by partnering cross-functionally with Product Development, Asset Management, Campaign Management, Sales, Strategic and Territory Account Management, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and other key stakeholders to ensure successful product commercialization and market execution
• Own product pricing strategies and oversee the design, management, and execution of both long-term and tactical marketing programs that drive demand, maximize product performance, and support achievement of business plan goals
• Monitor market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic decision-making
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis, evaluate sales performance, and contribute to the development of long-range business plans, objectives, and growth strategies for assigned market segments
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Sales organization by aligning marketing initiatives with commercial objectives, coordinating activities that support customer acquisition and retention, and enabling effective execution within assigned market segments
• Develop and execute commercial strategies for assigned crops, market segments, and brands to achieve business, sales, profit, market share, and growth objectives
• Leverage customer, competitor, and market insights to identify opportunities, trends, risks, and unmet needs, translating them into multi-year strategies, business plans, and performance metrics
• Serve as the commercial leader for assigned market segments, accountable for business performance, strategic direction, and key commercial decisions
• Define product, portfolio, and brand strategies, including product positioning, pricing, commercialization plans, and marketing programs that maximize market penetration and profitability
• Lead new product launches from pre-launch planning through post-launch evaluation, ensuring successful market adoption and achievement of business objectives
• Provide commercial insight and market expertise to support business development, asset management, product lifecycle management, and portfolio investment decisions
• Align and influence cross-functional teams, including Sales, Asset Management, Campaign Management, Finance, Regulatory, and Supply Chain, to ensure effective execution of market and brand strategies
• Guide marketing mix, resource allocation, merchandising, budgeting, and annual business planning processes to optimize return on investment and support business goals
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, key opinion leaders, channel partners, and Sales teams to ensure a deep understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive positioning
• Maintain expertise in assigned cropping systems, agronomic practices, channel dynamics, and agricultural value chains while applying marketing principles and strategic thinking to drive long-term business success

Market Segment Manager, Row Crops

Research Analyst

• Coordinate and conduct all work in strict compliance with applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standard operating practices, and/or guidelines.
• Assist in the design, build, screen/test, and cultivation of model and non-model organisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
• Perform routine strain engineering workflows and general molecular biology procedures, including DNA and RNA isolation and purification, PCR, sequencing, ligation, assembly, chemical and electrical transformations, and conjugation.
• Development of high-throughput assays, including the design and implementation of plate-based growth assays using Agilent BioTek instruments.
• Perform batch fermentations in either microtiter plates or flasks and prepare samples for submission for downstream organic extraction.
• Support team members by preparing specific solid and liquid media, buffers and reagents to support synthetic biology workflows.
• Assist with QC and data collection as requested.
• Accurate and well-organized record keeping of all experimental work for the development of SOPs and maintenance of an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Prepare comprehensive slide presentations summarizing key points and results, effectively communicate findings to a larger audience as needed.
• Maintenance of the laboratory including general housekeeping functions, inventory maintenance and organization, and equipment upkeep.
• Assist in the onboarding of research technicians by overseeing training of general lab operations and molecular biology procedures, organizing a clear training schedule and coordinating with other lab members as needed.
• Assist Regulatory permit submissions for the BRC.
• Assist USDA guideline training for all BRC members.

Senior Research Associate

• Coordinate and conduct all work in strict compliance with applicable safety requirements, containment requirements, standard operating practices, and/or guidelines.
• Assist in the design, build, screen/test, and cultivation of model and non-model organisms including bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
• Perform routine strain engineering workflows and general molecular biology procedures, including DNA and RNA isolation and purification, PCR, sequencing, ligation, assembly, chemical and electrical transformations, and conjugation.
• Development of high-throughput assays, including the design and implementation of plate-based growth assays using Agilent BioTek instruments.
• Perform batch fermentations in either microtiter plates or flasks and prepare samples for submission for downstream organic extraction.
• Support team members by preparing specific solid and liquid media, buffers and reagents to support synthetic biology workflows.
• Assist with QC and data collection as requested.
• Accurate and well-organized record keeping of all experimental work for the development of SOPs and maintenance of an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Prepare comprehensive slide presentations summarizing key points and results, effectively communicate findings to a larger audience as needed.
• Maintenance of the laboratory including general housekeeping functions, inventory maintenance and organization, and equipment upkeep.
• Assist in the onboarding of research technicians by overseeing training of general lab operations and molecular biology procedures, organizing a clear training schedule and coordinating with other lab members as needed.

Research Associate

Account Manager

• Sell or promote sales of agricultural/chemical and specialty products in the Iowa territory
• Provide technical services, and advise on the use, properties, and modifications of products
• Service accounts, diagnosing and solving customer problems
• Cover multiple markets in large geographic territory
• Interact with peers as a knowledgeable sales team member
• May lead a sales team
• Act as an Account Manager for multi-territory Regional District
• Coordinate Regional Distributor business with peers
• Provide market intelligence and advice to manager, marketing, and other departments in Valent USA
• Develop demonstration plots for key territory products to showcase the efficacy and crop safety compared to standard treatments

Territory Account Manager

• Leads in the development and servicing of field management for Distributor Accounts and establishes and maintains preferred vendor status for these accounts.
• Studies marketing information on retail and wholesale buying centers and/or chain store locations to determine additional sales needs.
• Ensures timely statistical analysis to sales & marketing management for use as a planning guide resulting in optimal sales execution and attainment of growth objectives.
• Effectively leads the designated sales team by developing Sales employees to increase sales skills and efficiencies to drive on the ground sales.
• Focus is on sales staff development, customer performance and on the ground sales.
• Drive new business opportunities by formulating, presenting, implementing, and managing new business proposals as well as leveraging current projects with Accounts.
• Monitor customer feedback and develop solutions for prompt resolution of local Account issues with the National Account Management Team.