Product Development Manager – Pedigreed Seed

Summit Search Group is proud to partner with CANTERRA SEEDS in the recruitment of a Pedigreed Product Development Manager, a key role that supports one of Western Canada’s most trusted and collaborative agricultural brands.

At CANTERRA SEEDS, we believe in growing connection — one field at a time. For nearly 30 years, we have partnered with leading plant breeders, public and private research institutions, seed growers, and farmers to bring high-performing seed solutions to Western Canadian agriculture. With the addition of Alliance Seed, our pedigreed portfolio is expanding — and so is our commitment to innovation, quality, and meaningful relationships.

This role is an opportunity to directly influence the future of cereals, pulses, and special crops in Western Canada, shaping the products that farmers choose and trust.

The Role:

As Pedigreed Product Development Manager, you will play a central role in the development, evaluation, and advancement of pedigreed cereal, pulse, and specialty crop varieties across CANTERRA SEEDS and Alliance Seed brands.

Reporting to the Director, Operations & Product Strategy, you will work closely with a second Product Development Manager in a collaborative two-person team, ensuring our current and future products meet the needs of Western Canadian farmers and drive long-term commercial success.

This is a high-impact role at the intersection of agronomy, product strategy, technical leadership, and commercial enablement.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Product Development

- Define product characteristics and market requirements aligned with medium- and long-term business goals.
- Build strong relationships with public and private plant breeders, research partners, and end-use customers.
- Contribute to advancement and acquisition decisions for pedigreed seed products.
- Support forecasting, budgeting, and inventory planning in partnership with the Pedigreed Seed Sales Manager.
- Oversee lifecycle management for pedigreed varieties, including registration trials.
- Manage Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) applications and renewals.
- Design and implement variety testing, demonstration plans, and data collection programs.
- Analyze trial data from breeders, provincial trials, and internal programs to inform product advancement.
- Maintain agronomic, disease, and quality data for all pedigreed seed varieties.
- Monitor market and competitor trends to anticipate future needs.

Knowledge Transfer & Technical Support

- Deliver training and technical support to internal sales teams, retailers, and customers.
- Partner with Marketing to build product‑specific campaigns, tech bulletins, and agronomy content.
- Offer agronomic guidance and recommendations to Territory Managers and retail partners.

Industry Engagement

- Represent both brands at conferences, industry events, field days, and trade shows.
- Build trust and visibility within the Western Canadian agricultural community.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, or related discipline (Master’s an asset).
- 2+ years of experience in seed product development, agronomy, or product management.
- Strong understanding of plant genetics, crop agronomy, regulatory frameworks, and seed industry standards.
- Practical knowledge of breeding, seed development pipelines, and crop production systems.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in forecasting, budgeting, and market evaluation.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, adapt to change, and travel seasonally for meetings and field visits.
- Entrepreneurial, curious, and growth‑oriented mindset.
- Winnipeg‑based preferred; remote office may be considered.

Why Join CANTERRA SEEDS?

- Direct influence on the future of pedigreed seed in Western Canada.
- Collaborative, innovative culture focused on meaningful relationships.
- Opportunity to work alongside top breeders, researchers, and industry partners.
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- A mission‑driven company grounded in care, trust, and connection.

Summit Search Group is committed to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We strive for continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias throughout our process.

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