About Company
Seed Co Limited is a leading African seed producer, developing and marketing superior crop seed varieties for various agricultural markets across Africa. With a rich heritage of agricultural innovation spanning decades, we are profoundly dedicated to enhancing food security and farmer prosperity through rigorous research, meticulous development, and efficient distribution of high-quality, climate-smart seed solutions. Our unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community development actively drives our operations, making us a pivotal and trusted player in the continent’s agricultural landscape. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and impact-driven work environment where talent thrives, groundbreaking ideas are cultivated, and every contribution makes a real and lasting difference to millions of lives.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Product Management to join our dynamic and forward-thinking team in Banket. This pivotal leadership role will be instrumental in shaping the future of Seed Co’s comprehensive product portfolio, driving innovation, and ensuring our cutting-edge seed varieties consistently meet the evolving and diverse needs of farmers across varied African markets. The successful candidate will lead the entire product lifecycle from conceptualization and rigorous research through development, stringent quality assurance, strategic market testing, successful launch, and comprehensive post-launch performance analysis. You will be directly responsible for defining the overarching product vision, strategic direction, and detailed roadmap, working collaboratively with our world-class research & development, dedicated breeding teams, proactive sales, creative marketing, and efficient operations teams to consistently deliver market-leading, high-yield, and climate-resilient seed solutions. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a strategic leader with a profound understanding of agricultural markets and advanced product management principles to make a significant, tangible impact on food security and agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe and across the continent. Your expertise will be absolutely critical in identifying nascent market opportunities, conducting incisive competitive analysis, and translating intricate farmer insights into actionable, impactful product strategies. You will champion a data-driven approach throughout the organization, leveraging cutting-edge market intelligence, robust performance metrics, and invaluable customer feedback to continually optimize our product offerings and ensure sustained growth and profitability. The role demands not only strong, inspiring leadership but also exceptional communication skills, a meticulous attention to detail, and a proven ability to motivate and guide diverse, cross-functional teams towards a unified, ambitious shared vision. Your strategic foresight will be key to maintaining our competitive edge and securing our position as an agricultural innovation leader.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and articulate the comprehensive product vision, strategy, and roadmap for Seed Co’s diverse seed portfolio, aligning with overall business objectives and market demands.
- Lead, mentor, and empower a high-performing team of product managers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation, thorough research, development, market testing, launch, to end-of-life planning for all seed varieties, ensuring optimal market fit and performance.
- Conduct thorough market research, competitive analysis, and customer segmentation to identify new opportunities, anticipate market trends, and inform strategic product development decisions.
- Collaborate closely with R&D, breeding, sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure seamless product development, efficient resource allocation, and successful market penetration.
- Develop and manage product specifications, robust pricing strategies, and compelling go-to-market plans in conjunction with relevant departments.
- Monitor product performance against key metrics, gather comprehensive customer feedback, and iterate on products to drive continuous improvement and maintain market leadership.
- Ensure strict compliance with all relevant agricultural regulations, quality standards, and intellectual property requirements across all product lines.
- Present clear, concise, and compelling product strategies, roadmaps, and performance updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Required Skills
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in product management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing product teams.
- Demonstrable experience in the agricultural sector, preferably with an in-depth understanding of seed production, crop science, or agri-business dynamics.
- Proven track record of defining, developing, and successfully launching impactful products that meet market needs and drive significant business growth.
- Strong strategic thinking, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to translate complex data and market insights into actionable product strategies.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities, with extensive experience managing and motivating diverse, cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Proficiency in market analysis tools, product lifecycle management software, and agile product development methodologies.
- Bachelor's degree in Agri-business, Agronomy, Marketing, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a relevant agricultural science discipline.
- Extensive experience with product management in diverse African markets, understanding regional agricultural nuances.
- Familiarity with intellectual property management and regulatory frameworks related to plant varieties.
- In-depth understanding of supply chain dynamics and logistics within the agricultural input sector.
Perks & Benefits
- Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and wellness benefits package.
- Company vehicle and generous fuel allowance.
- Significant professional development and career growth opportunities.
- Relocation assistance (if applicable) for qualified candidates.
- Opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on food security and agricultural innovation in Africa.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to click on the application link below to visit our official careers page. Please review the current openings and follow the instructions provided to submit your detailed CV and a compelling cover letter outlining your suitability for this Director of Product Management role. Ensure your application comprehensively highlights your experience in product leadership, particularly within the agricultural sector, and your vision for driving product innovation.