About Sensei Ag

At Sensei Ag, we align technology with the environment to protect and preserve natural resources while optimizing how we grow food. Merging agriculture and innovation to achieve sustainable farming practices allows us to grow delicious and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Our Vision: Improve Human Nutrition and Preserve the Environment by Growing Food Indoors.

Our Commitment: Growing More with Less: Our greenhouses use less water and take up less space than traditional farms, while maximizing flavor and freshness.

Achieving Climate Compatibility: Whether we're growing fruits or vegetables, our goal is to deliver fresh produce efficiently and sustainably in any environment.

Harvesting at Peak Ripeness: Our fresh produce is grown year-round and picked at the peak of ripeness to deliver high quality and great taste.

Learn more from our website or by following us on LinkedIn. If you'd like to see what we are doing with our consumer-facing brand Sensei Farms, please check our Instagram!

Position Description

The VP of Ops R&D will be a crucial member of the Farm Operations team, responsible for executing our company's competitive crop strategy. This senior leader must have in-depth knowledge of the produce industry and experience in fruit and vegetable commercialization. They should also have a strong reputation within the industry. The VP will need to transition smoothly between different crops while thinking strategically about the future. The right person for this role will mentor the Ops R&D team, enhance internal capabilities, strengthen external relations, and create a successful crop innovation roadmap for the company.

The VP of Ops R&D will be accountable for the overall performance of the department, from seed sourcing to test trial execution and data analysis. They will also play a key role in executing our company's dynamic test trials strategy. This senior leader should have intimate knowledge of the produce industry, especially in Controlled Environment Agriculture. They will need to transition smoothly between different crops while thinking strategically about the future. The right person will mentor the R&D Operations team, enhance internal capabilities, strengthen external relations, and design and implement successful new varieties development. Additionally, they will work closely with sales and marketing to develop our future seed varieties selection.   

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a product selection roadmap based on the Company’s strategy over the next 3-5 years. 
• Set direction and coordinate for the trialing plans across locations and multiple crops; advise on data collection needs, data packages and market targets to advance varieties through pipeline.
• Partner with Commercial and Sensei R&D teams to collect, report results as required by the test trial parameters and the R&D Operations strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize crop management and crop strategies trial needs.  
• Access new material through partnerships with commercial seed vendors
• Pursue exclusive access to plant material as warranted.
• Focus on key traits defined by the business:  yield, color, taste, nutrition, consumer appeal, etc.
• Access global varieties that are not currently in the US market to provide unique differentiation to the brand and portfolio.
• Align with Commercial on product launch timelines and route to market for new products.
• Facilitate data collection system and develop a product advancement decision process.
• Responsible for test trial schedules. Prioritize and coordinate test trials across sites.
• Ensure supply chain and seed availability to support product launches and growth plans across locations.  
• Create departmental budget planning, implementation and tracking.
• Coordinate with other departments in talent mapping, performance management, financial models/timeline validation. 
• Recruit and develop talent to grow the organization and create a successful, winning, rewarding environment.
• Create a talent development strategy for future company expansion (growers and manager careers).

Minimum years of experience required

• 10 years in CEA (controlled environment agriculture), product development, innovation or growing.

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualifications

• Demonstrated leader in indoor agriculture and the produce industry.
• Ability to create and track departmental budgets, trial planning.
• Ability to manage expectations and team members performance.
• Able to connect with key stakeholders and identify exciting business opportunities.
• Easily works across functions to create strategic plans and build functional teams. 
• Ability to work across multiple crops with varied trialing plans.

Preferred Skills, Abilities and Qualifications

• Collaborative, team player, easy to get along with, and reliable. 

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor in plant biology, agriculture-related field or engineering with experience in CEA.

Travel Requirement

• Up to 50% of the time.

Traits We Value

• Appreciation for transforming health and the future of food  
• Smart, not arrogant 
• Humble and hardworking 
• Entrepreneurial, not risk averse 
• Kind and genuine 
• Grit and lots of it 

FLSA Status

• Exempt 

Compensation

• $167,500 - $265,000 / year

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical Plans
• Prescription Drug Benefits
• Employee Wellness
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• HSA/FSA
• Basic Life and AD&D
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Travel Assistance Program
• Paid-Time Off
• 401K

NOTE: Residents of Hawaii, receive a Comprehensive Healthcare Bundle consisting of: Medical, Dental, Vision and Rx prescriptions, different from US Mainland plans/programs.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.