Commercial Director, Nutrients

Overview

Why Join Us? At Roeslein Renewables, a division of Roeslein & Associates, you’re not just taking a job – you’re becoming an employee owner. As part of a 100% ESOP organization, you share the success you help create while building a long-term career with a company that invests in its people. Our team operates at the intersection of agriculture, renewable markets, and energy, delivering integrated solutions from biomass development to renewable natural gas (RNG) production, market generation, and long-term program execution. At Roeslein, we believe our innovative capabilities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, revitalize economic growth, regenerate agriculture, restore ecosystems, and create a more sustainable future for the next generation. Values Driven, People-First Culture We live by a simple but powerful ethos: Remain Humble. Stay Hungry. Be Happy. That means: Working hard and continuously improving Treating people with respect and integrity Prioritizing safety and quality in everything we do Enjoying the work we do – together Competitive Pay & Comprehensive Benefits We offer a rewards package designed to support your whole life - at work and at home: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401(k) Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave Paid parental leave Education and tuition reimbursement Bonus opportunities based on company and individual performance Growth, Development & Career Paths We believe careers should grow, not stall. Whether you’re early in your career or bring years of experience, we support your development through: Mentorship from experienced professionals Ongoing technical, safety, and leadership training Clear pathways for advancement across teams and disciplines Tuition and education reimbursement POSITION SUMMARY: Roeslein Alternative Energy is developing a platform at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, waste-to-value systems, and environmental markets to create new revenue streams that support economically viable prairie restoration and sustainable land use. As part of this platform, the company is establishing a nutrient products business focused on converting outputs from anaerobic digestion into high-value agricultural inputs. The Commercial Director, Nutrients is responsible for leading the commercialization of this platform, including solid digestate and liquid NPK fertilizer products, and advancing these products from concept through market adoption. This role is accountable for developing and executing commercial strategies, translating market demand into product development requirements, and supporting the design, validation, and scaling of nutrient products. The position works cross-functionally with customers, engineering, agronomy, and external partners to ensure product performance, market fit, and commercial viability. Initial research conducted in partnership with Iowa State University has demonstrated strong product performance and market potential. This role supports the advancement of these findings through continued field validation, product refinement, and commercialization efforts, leveraging available funding, including the USDA-supported AMP program. The Commercial Director, Nutrients plays a central role in aligning market demand, product development, and commercialization strategy, supporting the transformation of waste-derived materials into market-ready agricultural inputs and contributing to the development of scalable nutrient solutions.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Commercial Strategy & Product Development Lead commercialization strategy for nutrient products, including solid digestate and liquid NPK formulations Identify and prioritize target markets, with initial focus on specialty crops (e.g., vineyards, orchards, high-value fruit and vegetable systems) Translate customer needs into product specifications, pricing models, and go-to-market strategies Partner closely with R&D Tech Lead, engineering and operations to co-develop product formats, quality specifications, and logistics models Customer Discovery & Market Validation Conduct deep customer discovery across growers, agronomists, distributors, and input providers Identify unmet needs, value drivers, and willingness to pay across crop systems and regions Build an early adopter pipeline and secure partners for field trials and pilot programs Develop feedback loops to continuously refine product-market fit Trials, Partnerships & Product Credibility Design and execute field trials in partnership with growers, universities, and NGOs Collaborate with external partners in adjacent spaces, including: soil amendments (e.g., biochar), biologicals / microbial inputs, regenerative agriculture programs Generate data, case studies, and insights to support product performance, positioning, and claims Lead coordination with internal and external experts on environmental and regulatory requirements, ensuring nutrient products meet all applicable standards and are positioned for successful commercialization Go-to-Market & Commercialization Develop channel strategy (direct sales, distributors, and strategic partnerships) Support development of branding, positioning, and product narratives Build commercial models including pricing, margin structure, and scaling pathways Advance opportunities from pilot through contracted sales Execution & Cross-Functional Coordination Work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, agronomy, and finance to ensure readiness for scale Identify and resolve bottlenecks across product development, logistics, and customer onboarding Leverage grant funding and partner networks to accelerate development and reduce risk

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE / SKILL / ABILITY / EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE Strong commercial acumen, including experience with pricing, business case development, and/or financial modeling Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, early-stage environments and drive initiatives from concept to execution Experience working cross-functionally across technical, operational, and commercial teams Strong communication and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholder groups Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and drive outcomes through others Analytical mindset with ability to structure problems and develop actionable insights Passion for agriculture, sustainability, and market-based solutions Experience in fertilizers, soil health, specialty crops, agricultural inputs, or adjacent industries Strong product mindset, ability to translate customer needs into technical product design Experience working with growers, agronomists, or agricultural input value chains Experience running or supporting field trials and product validation (preferred) Must be at least 18 years of age Must possess a valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required Ability to work in both office and field environments, including exposure to varying weather and conditions MBA or advanced degree in a related field (e.g., agriculture, environmental science, business, or engineering) preferred Experience working in startup, high-growth, or innovation-focused environments, preferred Experience in strategy, consulting, or early-stage business model development, preferred Build a Career with Ownership and Purpose If you are looking for meaningful work, strong values, and a company that genuinely invests in your future, Roeslein Renewables is a place you can grow. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. The job description does not necessarily contain all the actual or essential duties of this position. All job offers are contingent upon passing a drug screen and background check. This role will be open until filled. Pay Range Salary Range: USD $125,200.00/Yr. - USD $156,500.00/Yr. Apply To This Job