Starke Ayres, a leading African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower, and lawn seed varieties, is seeking to hire a passionate and skilled Product Developer based in Nairobi, Kenya. The company is renowned for delivering top-quality seeds to both commercial growers and home gardeners, ensuring high performance and adaptability to a variety of agro-climatic conditions. With its emphasis on innovation, market insight, and sustainable agriculture, Starke Ayres offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that is influencing food production and horticulture across Africa and beyond.
This newly available position presents a unique opportunity for individuals with technical agronomic expertise and strong product development instincts to contribute to the growth of a globally respected seed company. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in evaluating, introducing, and promoting new seed varieties tailored to the Kenyan and regional markets, while closely liaising with product managers and agronomists to ensure successful implementation.
Position Title: Product Developer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reference Number: P350007 – PRODUCT DEVELOPER
Job Type: Permanent
Work Level: Skilled
Salary: Market Related
EE Position: No
Application Deadline: Ongoing (as per company HR policy)
Position Overview
The Product Developer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring product development strategies across Kenya’s diverse agro-ecological zones. This involves conducting field trials, supporting the commercial launch of new seed varieties, liaising with stakeholders such as agents, growers, processors, and supermarkets, and staying attuned to current market demands and competitive landscapes.
This role is crucial in helping Starke Ayres stay ahead of market trends, enhance product offerings, and expand its footprint in the vegetable, flower, and lawn seed markets in Kenya and beyond. The incumbent will work closely with Product Managers and the Senior Product Manager, ensuring that product development aligns with customer needs and strategic business goals.
Key Responsibilities
1. Trial Management and Evaluation
- Design and oversee trials across representative agro-ecological zones in Kenya to assess the performance and adaptability of new seed varieties.
- Implement trials in coordination with regional Sales Agronomists and under the guidance of the Senior Product Manager.
- Ensure agronomic care of the trials including crop protection, fertigation, irrigation, and other cultural practices essential to respective crops.
- Conduct ongoing monitoring and follow-up of trials to ensure the integrity and quality of data collected.
- Analyze trial results to generate technical reports and insights that inform product commercialization.
- Translate field trial findings into practical and commercially relevant recommendations.
2. Product Portfolio Development
- Identify gaps in the current product portfolio based on market feedback, competitor analysis, and agronomic performance.
- Recommend introductions of new seed varieties that address unmet market needs.
- Collect and share profile data and technical data sheets of all new products initiated for trial.
- Support the creation of market-specific seed strategies in collaboration with product managers.
- Proactively contribute ideas and insights into the development of the company’s seed range to stay competitive and relevant.
3. Product Launch and Commercialization
- Motivate and introduce semi-commercial trials to agents and sales teams, ensuring availability of trial results and necessary supporting documentation.
- Coordinate and execute semi-commercial trials in collaboration with key partners and internal teams.
- Take the lead in launching new commercial products, providing training, product launch strategies, and marketing documents to sales teams and agents.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer of new products to field staff, partners, and growers to build product awareness and uptake.
4. Market Research and Strategic Analysis
- Conduct thorough assessments of customer preferences, demand patterns, and competitor varieties.
- Monitor market trends and analyze data to identify opportunities for new product introductions or enhancements to existing products.
- Apply research findings to guide strategic planning and ensure the company’s product offerings remain aligned with customer needs.
- Gather field intelligence and share actionable insights with the senior management and product development teams.
5. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
- Build strong networking relationships with key industry role players including agents, supermarkets, processors, media outlets, and agricultural consultants.
- Promote collaboration opportunities and identify channels to expand the reach and reputation of the company’s product range.
- Support external partners in evaluating new products and facilitate the seamless adoption of newly introduced varieties.
6. Technical Support and Reporting
- Provide technical advisory to agents, growers, and partners during the trial and post-trial phases.
- Assist in the preparation of high-quality technical reports and documentation for internal and external use.
- Ensure that all trial-related data is accurately captured, analyzed, and presented using appropriate tools and platforms.
Minimum Requirements
Educational Background
- Completion of secondary school education (Grade 12) is essential.
- A tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related discipline is mandatory.
Experience and Expertise
- At least 2 years of experience in variety trials, crop advisory, or seed/agronomy product development.
- Proven ability to conduct, manage, and analyze on-farm and demo site field trials.
- Demonstrated competence in converting trial data into practical commercial recommendations.
- Experience working in a seed or crop-related agronomic environment is highly advantageous.
Technical and Analytical Skills
- Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, particularly in agronomic settings.
- Technical report writing skills to document findings, recommendations, and market feedback.
- Familiarity with trial software, data capture tools, and agricultural reporting platforms.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to present complex agronomic data in a clear, actionable, and professional manner.
- Capable of working independently and in team settings, with strong coordination abilities.
Market Research Capabilities
- Sound knowledge of how to gather, analyze, and interpret market trends.
- Ability to apply market insights to influence product strategy and development priorities.
IT and Computer Literacy
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience with digital platforms used in agricultural data capture and reporting.
Why Join Starke Ayres?
At Starke Ayres, employees are not just contributors to the business—they are part of a larger mission to improve food production systems, support farmers, and deliver seed solutions that matter. By joining the team, the successful candidate will be immersed in a collaborative environment where innovation, agricultural excellence, and market responsiveness are at the heart of everything the company does.
The Nairobi-based Product Developer will have the unique opportunity to interact with a range of professionals across Africa, support the commercialization of globally sourced genetics, and play a central role in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture in the region.
The position offers:
- A competitive, market-related salary.
- Long-term growth opportunities in a reputable seed company.
- Hands-on experience in high-impact product development.
- Exposure to regional and international seed markets.
- A professional platform to build industry reputation and technical expertise.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply through the company’s official application channel.
