New Product Development (NPD) Manager

Posted on: Oct. 08, 2025

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: St. Thomas / Glencoe, Ontario

Reports to: COO

Company Overview

Ontario Plants is more than a propagation company — we’re shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. As a leader in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, we specialize in producing high-quality starter plants for vegetables and soft fruits, delivering to greenhouse growers across North America. Our state-of-the-art facilities combine advanced technology, strict biosecurity, and year-round production to meet the evolving needs of our customers. We are expanding our soft fruits program, making this an exciting time to join a team committed to growth, quality, and operational excellence.

Position Summary

The New Product Development (NPD) Manager will lead the technical development and implementation of new crop programs that strengthen Ontario Plants’ expertise in propagation and production innovation. This role is centered on advancing crop diversification, optimizing greenhouse utilization, and developing scalable, high-quality plant systems through technical trials and applied research.

Key areas of focus include introducing and refining propagation techniques for crops such as soft fruits, tissue-culture potatoes, spruce seedlings, and ornamental plants, while ensuring alignment with Ontario Plants’ long-term growth and operational excellence goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end technical development of new crop programs—from feasibility studies and trial design to full-scale implementation.
• Establish and manage a structured NPD pipeline with clear technical milestones, go/no-go criteria, and validation processes.
• Assess crop physiology, environmental requirements, and compatibility with controlled-environment systems to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Oversee experimental design, pilot production, and data analysis to guide scalability decisions.
• Collaborate with production, R&D, and quality teams to translate trial learnings into standardized operational protocols.
• Integrate NPD outcomes with Ontario Plants’ broader strategy for innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, or related field (MSc preferred).
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experience with soft fruits, tissue culture, or specialty crops is an asset.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Market-aware, data-driven decision maker.
• Strong communicator and team collaborator.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, plus retirement savings plan.
• A pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
• Opportunities for career advancement in a rapidly expanding organization.
• A dynamic and friendly work environment, with an active social committee organizing events such as sports activities, BBQs, and fun gatherings.
• Thrive in a supportive, team-focused environment with work-life balance, team events, and perks like coffee/snack corners and referral bonuses.

Why Ontario Plants?

Ontario Plants is Canada’s leading young plant propagator, serving major greenhouse vegetable and soft fruit growers across North America. As we expand our production capacity and innovation capabilities, this role offers the opportunity to shape the future of propagation and lead groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture.

How to Apply

Submit your resume via one of the following methods:

• Email: employment@ontarioplants.com 
  • Subject line: New Product Development (NPD) Manager
• Website: ontarioplants.com/careers

Ontario Plants Propagation Ltd. is committed to providing accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accommodation is available on request for candidates to take part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources on 519-637-2119. This job posting is available in alternative formats upon request. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.