Senior Product Manager in Elburn, Illinois at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

PanAmerican Seed, a division of Ball Horticultural Company, is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Product Manager to lead the development and lifecycle management of a defined portfolio of crops. Ball is the largest flower seed breeder/producer and distributor in the world, providing outstanding products, best-in-class customer service, and reliable supply to professional growers around the globe.

In this role, you will develop and execute product strategies that align with the Company's vision while serving as a key leader across Research & Development, Breeding, Production, Sales, and Marketing. You will oversee the entire product lifecycle—from breeding goals and product trials through commercialization and product retirement—ensuring new introductions meet customer needs and achieve market success. This position also serves as a mentor and leader within the product team, fostering collaboration and driving continuous innovation.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and execute comprehensive product strategies that align with the Company's goals, vision, and values.
• Lead cross-functional teams through the development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of assigned product lines.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to members of the product team and collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders.
• Partner with breeders and research teams to establish breeding goals that support customer needs and successful product introductions.
• Track new product development and implement commercialization strategies that result in successful market introductions.
• Manage all aspects of product trialing, ensuring accurate data collection, evaluations, photography, reporting, and performance assessments.
• Analyze trial data and market feedback to make informed recommendations regarding product introductions, assortment changes, and product retirements.
• Plan and execute successful product launches, including product positioning, pricing recommendations, marketing support, and launch strategies.
• Monitor product performance throughout the product lifecycle and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Conduct market research to identify customer trends, competitive positioning, and emerging opportunities within the horticulture industry.
• Develop and maintain long-term product roadmaps that support future product releases and enhancements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Production, and Research teams to ensure alignment throughout the product lifecycle.
• Stay informed of competitor products and industry developments to maintain Ball's competitive position.
• Perform all other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and support organizational goals.

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Botany, Agriculture, or a related field required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in product management, product development, breeding, or trial management within the horticulture or agriculture industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing product portfolios through the full product lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams while influencing without direct authority.
• Strong leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing team members.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using market data and customer insights to drive product decisions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion for horticulture and developing innovative products that meet customer needs.

Salary Range: $95 - $115K

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds multiple times throughout the workday.
• Ability to stand for extended periods while working in greenhouses, research facilities, and field trial locations.
• Ability to work in varying greenhouse and outdoor environmental conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, rain, and muddy terrain.
• Ability to kneel, bend, and occasionally push or pull greenhouse benches and equipment.
• Ability to travel approximately 35–40%, both domestically and internationally, based on seasonal business needs.
• Minimal climbing and balancing may be required.

Our Promise To You

We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

• Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
• 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
• Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs