Senior Director, Agriculture Operations

For more than 40 years, Calian has been solving the world’s most complex problems by pairing the brightest minds with powerful technology. Calian solutions impact the world; from the satellites in space that connect us to the farms that feed us, from the medical professionals who care for us to the governments, schools and companies that make the world better every day.

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Agriculture Operations will participate in the strategic direction of Calian’s Agriculture Division. This includes participating in the development and execution of associated strategic plans and delivery against the annual business plan. The Senior Director is responsible primarily for: ensuring strategic direction, team development, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement in the agriculture industry.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the growth and development of the Agriculture Division through the planning and execution of a strategic plan and annual business plan.
• Drive innovation for asset protection and management products, positioning the organization at the forefront of emerging technologies and practices.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for business expansion across companies, regions, and international markets.
• Continuously assess and pursue strategic merger and acquisition opportunities within the agriculture industry to support long-term growth.
• Review market research and industry trends to uncover emerging opportunities and guide strategic direction.

Team Leadership and Development

• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and psychologically safe work environment that is challenging, rewarding, and conducive to long-term career growth.
• Collaborate with internal leaders to ensure staffing structures and systems support divisional goals and expansion.
• Mentor staff and promote a culture of learning and development across the team.
• Attract, retain, and develop a highly skilled workforce while managing succession planning for senior leadership and critical roles.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, mental and physical well-being, and nationwide team cohesion through targeted strategies and programs.
• Work cross-functionally with department and departments across Calian.

Business Development & Customer Engagement

• Engage with customers to understand their needs and expectations, helping to shape market-driven solutions.
• Oversee t he development of pricing models and contract negotiations with distributors and partners.
• Maintain a professional presence in all customer and industry-facing interactions.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with industry partners, customers, and technology manufacturers.

Budgeting and Financial Oversight

• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual budget for Calian Agriculture, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for operations, capital projects, and R&D.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, operational improvement, and increased profitability.
• Prepare and authorize Calian Agriculture budget expenditures and earnings on a quarterly basis.
• Report Calian Agriculture financial and operational performance to senior leadership on a regular basis.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, government agencies, and external stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, conferences, and public engagements to maintain visibility and leadership.
• Lead internal communications for the Agriculture Division, including strategy updates and townhalls.

Operational Management

• Oversee the operations of Calian Agriculture to ensure proper management is occurring with engineering and design activities, manufacturing and purchasing activities, quality and regulatory compliance, and operational finances.
• Uphold the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainability in all agricultural operations.
• Promote responsible, ethical, and safe practices across all areas of the division’s activities.

Additional Expectations

• Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Perform other duties as assigned in alignment with organizational priorities

Qualifications

Education

A Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph. D degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agribusiness, Business, Horticulture, or related field.

Years Experience

• 10+ years of experience in the ag industry, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in product development and regional/global expansion .
• Experience with running a product-based business including managing production
• Experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and team management.
• Experience in precision automation solution is considered an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of the ag tech market locally and nationally.