Senior Product Development Coordinator
Do you have what it takes to test new cut-flower products by trialling plant candidates on
our trial sites?
The Senior Product Development Coordinator is responsible for the trials of new unique summer flowers with the aim to expand the crop-portfolio for the Marginpar Group.
Type: Fulltime
Location: Nakuru - Kenya
Job description summary
The Senior Product Development Coordinator will test new cut-flower products by trialling plant candidates mainly on the designated trial sites in Kenya, with the aim to bring these flowers to a commercial level. He/she oversees the budget and organisation for developing novel crops. The Trial Site Coordinator is part of the Cluster Market and reports to the Product Development Manager. In this capacity, the Senior Trial Site Coordinator is responsible for the product development of new flowers, managing the trial sites & coaching team leaders.
Key accountabilities & deliverables (100%)
- Managing trial sites: Oversee and manage trial site operations in Kenya on a team of 40-50 employees, by bringing in his/her knowledge of people management, plant physiology & agronomy, by streamlining operations such as: trial development plans, project management, crop planning, financial budgeting, performance cycles, team development, and reporting to ensure alignment with the Product Development department goals.
- People management: Supervising the Trial Site Manager Kenya by servant leadership, supporting the teams to flourish in their roles.
- Cultivation: Ensure cultivation plans are executed effectively, update plans based on trial results and feedback, analyse collected data, and report findings to stakeholders.
- Propagation: Manage propagation programmes to ensure quality plant material, update protocols based on trial insights and maintain effective planning reporting systems.
- Start-up programmes: Coordinate visits to trial sites and start-up programmes to align development efforts and support the transfer of protocols to production phases.
- Stakeholder Management: Being a link between various departments such as: Product Development, Commercial Production, Agronomy, Production Technical, Product Management, as well as external relations, such as breeders and/or young plant propagators.
- Data analytics and insight: To leverage product development analytics in optimising trial site management, ensuring the successful development and commercialisation of new flowers.
Criteria
Academic and professional qualifications
- A master's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, Phytopathology, Plant Sciences, or an equally relevant field (an added advantage).
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, Phytopathology, Plant Sciences, or an equally relevant field (a must).
Experience
- Minimum 4 years of experience in an agricultural management related role
- Knowledge of leading a Research & Development oriented department
- Familiarity with modern African cut-flower mass-production sites
- Experience in working in an international (western oriented) environment, is an added advantage.
Role competencies
(1-6 required, minimum of 7 competencies)
- Servant Leadership Capabilities
- Excellent Communication Abilities
- Prioritise Data-Driven Decision Making
- Problem Solving Behaviour
- Strategic Thinker
- (Internal)-Customer Focus
- Proactive & Collaborative Attitude
- Adaptability to Various Environments
Essentials
- Ability to lead a Research & Development-oriented department in an international agricultural setting
- Ability to implement his/her management skills and agronomy knowledge to develop novel summer flower varieties
- Willingness to frequently travel
Would you like to know more?
Contact: Bart Merkus
Head of Product Development and Plant Material via: b.merkus@marginpar.nl
Or have a look at the rest of our website.
Interested?
Apply via recruitment@marginpar.biz
Application deadline: 27th August 2026