Research & Development Associate

WHO WE ARE

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is a leading full-service agronomic solutions provider that's been in business since 1957. Our first location was in West Helena, Arkansas hence the name "Helena". We now have close to 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees. Our corporate office is located in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb outside of Memphis. Year after year we rank at the top nationally for volume and sales in our industry. There are many facets to our company including product development, sales, operations, precision technology and manufacturing, just to name a few.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Research and Development (R&D) Associate participates and oversees the operations of an assigned territory for Helena's R&D team. Our R&D teams are responsible for application, evaluation and development of cutting-edge technologies in a variety of agriculture and specialty markets. Helena is also developing and implementing the use of precision ag tools, such as drones and imagery for research and development purposes.

Within your territory, you will work with a variety of crops making applications of crop protection (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nematicides) and crop production (fertilizers, bioscience, biologicals) products. This includes working with various seeds and crops for new trait development, tolerance to pesticides for nutrient use, efficiency and drought stress tolerance.

You will collaborate with Helena teams and customers to present the findings of studies being conducted. In addition to your own responsibilities, you will also manage a team consisting of R&D Technicians and Interns. This role also gives you the opportunity to interface with cross-functional Helena teams in our Western Business Unit, as well as major ag industry manufacturers in crop production and crop protection industries.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Facilitates the development protocols for product testing. This includes all aspects of the trial protocol such as cropping system, target and secondary pest, treatment list, application, evaluation parameters and trial location.
• Negotiates and monitors all contracted research with cooperators within assigned area.
• Assists in the construction, implementation, maintenance and dismantling of field and greenhouse research trials.
• Orchestrates team schedule by communicating with growers, customers and employees.
• Easily pivots to make changes based on needs.
• Calculates, mixes and applies experimental and standard agricultural products in research and commercial applications.
• Coordinates and stewards the collection, packaging and shipping of all products used in R&D within assigned area.
• Prepares and coordinates local and state regulatory compliance documentation.
• Monitors trials, analyzes and compares data and documents results with film, video, notes, etc.
• Enters application and evaluation data into our statistical analysis research programs.
• Analyzes trial data and prepares reports and presentations for distribution.
• Provides research results to appropriate team members, vendors, academia and customers including sales meeting presentations, training and supplier meetings.
• Notes product handling, mixing and application characteristics and makes suggestions for improvement.
• Develops and implements methods and procedures for monitoring products/projects. This includes providing information to support budgets, expenditures, data and progress reports.
• Instructs and leads Helena R&D Interns and Technicians.
• Performs facility and equipment inspections and maintenance.
• May be required to operate a company vehicle.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Science is preferred.
• One year of agricultural field research experience is required.
• Prior leadership experience is preferred.
• Qualified Applicator License (QAL) is required but can be gained during employment.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Presentation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to influence others without directly managing them.
• Time management.
• Ability to easily adapt to unexpected changes in project scope.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a high level of activity under a variety of conditions and constraints.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Data analysis skills.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office, research software, internet, etc.).
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required to drive a company vehicle.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

BEING A LEADER AT HELENA

At Helena, our leaders are expected to demonstrate the same qualities that we value in our employees -- integrity, passion and accountability. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for overseeing other team members. This includes carrying out leadership responsibilities such as interviewing, hiring, training and coaching employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees and addressing complaints and resolving problems by following all of Helena's policies, procedures and applicable laws.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.

The work environment for this position will be in an office setting and outdoors in all types of weather conditions with exposure to outdoor elements. When working outdoors and possibly around moving equipment/mechanical parts, you could be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.

This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, stand sit, stand (8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.

BENEFITS AT HELENA

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Up to 15 days paid time-off plus 9 paid holidays.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.
• And much more!

For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.

STAY CONNECTED TO THE HELENA POWERHOUSE!

Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.

Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.