At Soli Organic, we want to change the way people access organic, sustainable, and affordable food by revolutionizing what nature does best: growing healthy, flavorful plants. We take what we know about the biology of growing the best produce, and then use technology to optimize nature’s processes. We do all of this in our proprietary, USDA-certified organic, soil-based, indoor system. For us, everything begins with soil; it is the foundational building blocks that enable us to provide an ecosystem in which plants can thrive. 

Soli Organic is a leading CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) company in the US. As the company expands, R&D continues to be a key engine for success. With various exciting projects running, the R&D team is looking for a Program Manager to oversee status and help with managing program planning, interdependencies, milestones, prioritization, and team communications. This individual will have the opportunity to work on the cutting edge of agriculture and within a team of industry-leading scientists. In conjunction with the CSO, CTO, and R&D senior team members, this person will also help to shape and build Soli Organic’s approach to R&D program management.

The R&D Program Manager is responsible for leading work both within and driven by R&D. The role facilitates and documents plans, and drives communication across cross-functional R&D stakeholders and teams. This means acting as an accountability and connection point between teams. This individual will manage key project plans, resources, timelines, and regular reporting. The selected employee will use a technical, science, and/or engineering background to understand the program stage requirements and manage pilot-to-scale processes and interdependencies, including helping to define and document budget, risks, specs, and facility readiness. Success demands excellent organization, communication, and a passion for science.

The R&D Program Manager will report to Soli Organic Chief Science Officer

Specific Responsibilities:

• Create R&D and R&D-driven program scopes and project plans, including timeline, milestones, interdependencies, and resources required
• Regularly update project plans and communicate status to cross-functional teams
• Encourage and drive clear project communications and expectations across the team
• Prioritize team project work based on schedule, risk, resources, and payback
• Plan, manage, track, and justify program funds as part of program planning, CapEx review, and program oversight
• Participate in organization and operations, sometimes as ‘boots-on-the-ground,’ in projects both within R&D facilities and in site locations across the United States where R&D projects or pilot-to-scale operations are occurring
• Translate R&D solutions into clear presentations of ROI
• Communicate and manage milestones related to Soli Organic partnerships with industry and academia
• Gather, standardize, and document R&D work in support of continued scale, including plant recipes and growing specs
• Work cross-functionally with facility and equipment teams to communicate R&D specs and introduce checkpoints to engineering solutions and install process in large-scale facilities to ensure they meet initial R&D requirements
• Manage connection points with other teams and follow up on any loose ends in communication or project status
• Manage process for R&D vendor selection and management
• Communicate and present schedule risk, and develop recovery plans in the event of a project slip
• Identify creative ways to overcome obstacles
• Drive accountability to deadlines and priorities, and help instill excellence in project management
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence and people leadership skills in driving accountability and performance across teams, and contributing to a positive and motivating work environment
• Look for efficiency in program plans and ways of working, and be bold in leading change if beneficial
• Growth opportunity to directly manage some members of the R&D team
• Act as a leader across indirect reporting relationships and cross-functional teams
• Visit and work from R&D sites around the country as needed and likely around 25% of the time

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to leverage project management knowledge and approaches across waterfall, agile and lean
• Previous experience in Science or Engineering company
• Problem-solver and creative thinker
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Collaboration-first mindset and team player
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Ability to work in Microsoft Office suite, and in project management software
• Knowledge of Controlled Environment Agriculture ‘CEA’ preferred
• Management experience, including more than 2 direct reports preferred
• Experience leading cross-functional teams preferred
• Experience within fast-growth or start-up company preferred

Education and Experience:

• BS or MS degree from an accredited college/university
• A degree in science or engineering preferred
• At least three years of experience within R&D Program Management or a similar role preferred

Location:

· Hybrid remote (25% in person) with travel to different CEA locations.

· Soli Headquarters in Harrisonburg Virginia; locations nationwide.

About Soli Organic

We believe that accessing organic, sustainable, flavorful foods provides an opportunity for people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures to enjoy high quality produce. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion, participation and belonging. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the communities we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these principles. We are proud of our collaborative culture. Our diverse employee population shares our fundamental core values of Respect for All Individuals, Customer Obsession and Winning as One Team, which creates a culture that attracts top talent, forming the foundation for a great place to work!

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