Director - Product Development

Role Summary

The Product Development Director leads the strategic direction, planning, and execution of the company’s product portfolio. This role oversees trialing, testing, and commercialization of new genetics; manages breeder and supplier relationships; and ensures cross‑functional alignment across Marketing, Sales, Growing, R&D, Production, and Supply Chain. The Director drives innovation, supports customer‑facing initiatives, and ensures the successful introduction and lifecycle management of all product lines.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Portfolio Management
  • Develop and maintain the product portfolio strategy and program guidelines across existing and future product lines
  • Maintain the multi-year product development Roadmap on long term crops
  • Own variety selection across Annuals, Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs, including recommendations for additions, replacements, and discontinuations based on genetic performance, trial results, supply availability, customer requirements, and portfolio needs
  • Maintain visibility to status, risk, and upcoming decisions across the product development portfolio
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate the commercial, operational, supply, and technical viability of products under consideration.

• Product & Trial Garden Evaluation
  • Evaluate Metrolina’s confidential gardens, test gardens, internal trials, breeder trials, grower trials for advanced trialing or future product launch planning
  • Partner with R&D to execute trial requests originating from breeders, Sales, retailers, or G5 discussions.
  • Recommend appropriate genetics, varieties, substitutions, and program placement based on technical findings and trial results.
  • Participate in propagation and finished-crop reviews with internal and partner growers to assess genetic performance, supplied-material quality, product performance, and emerging risks.

• Breeder, Broker, and Supply Development
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with breeders, brokers, and plant suppliers to identify future product and genetic opportunities.
  • In collaboration with Demand Planning, lead breeder and broker line reviews to evaluate performance, replacements, and supply opportunities.
  • Evaluate supply availability, lead times, sourcing alternatives, and substitution options for unavailable products.
  • Identify and escalate supply, timing, quality, and availability risks that could affect trials, product launches, or existing programs.

• Cross Functional Execution
  • Serve as plant genetics subject matter expert with retailer, breeder, broker, supplier, and at industry meetings, as appropriate.
  • Partner with sales and marketing to translate customer requirements into viable item recommendations
  • Provide Product Development recommendations, technical decisions, and product cost inputs throughout the established Roadmap process
  • Partner with R&D, Growing, Demand Planning, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, and other cross-functional teams to support product readiness and execution.
  • Maintain product development reference materials, including visual guides, color breakdowns, and substitution guidelines

• New Product Development
  • Partner with Innovation on new-product-development opportunities through the defined innovation Roadmap process, providing Product Development expertise and deliverables required for gate handoff, including supply feasibility, technical growing requirements, product evaluation, and cost inputs.

Competencies:

· Strategic Influence

· Change Management

· Innovation Mindset

· Executive Communication

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural or relevant 10 years’ experience in Industry.

· Progressive leadership experience in greenhouse operations and in the breeder/broker network

· Strong strategic, financial, and analytical capabilities.

· Proven ability to translate strategy into execution and measurable outcomes.

· Experience presenting to Customers/suppliers

Job Setting & Physical Demands

This is a hybrid role that includes work in an indoor office environment as well as warehouse and outdoor settings. The position may involve varying weather conditions, dust, and allergens. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, squat, and twist regularly, and to lift up to 35 pounds unassisted and 50 pounds with assistance. Travel required.

Disclaimer

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of people assigned to this position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. All employees may be required to perform activities outside of their normal job responsibilities from time to time as needed.

EOE - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.