VP Product & Data, AgTech – San Francisco, CA

Role Overview for VP Product & Data, AgTech – San Francisco, CA

JRG Partners is proud to represent a pioneering force in the Agricultural Technology (AgTech) sector, a company dedicated to revolutionizing global farming practices through data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology. Our client, a well-funded and rapidly scaling organization based in the heart of San Francisco, is seeking a transformative leader to join their executive team as the Vice President of Product & Data. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of sustainable agriculture and make a tangible impact on the world’s food supply chain.

As the VP of Product & Data, you will be the strategic owner of the company’s entire product portfolio and data ecosystem. You will operate at the critical intersection of product management, data science, engineering, and business strategy. Your mission will be to craft a compelling and cohesive vision for how data can be transformed into indispensable products that empower farmers, agronomists, and enterprises to increase efficiency, improve crop yields, and promote environmental stewardship. You will lead and inspire a multi-disciplinary team of product managers, data scientists, analysts, and UX designers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and relentless customer focus. This role requires a unique blend of executive leadership, deep technical expertise in both product development and data analytics, and a profound passion for solving complex, real-world problems. You will be at the forefront of defining the future of digital agriculture, building solutions that leverage IoT, remote sensing, machine learning, and predictive analytics to create a more resilient and productive food system for generations to come.

Key Responsibilities of VP Product & Data, AgTech – San Francisco, CA

Product Vision & Strategy Leadership

• Define, articulate, and champion a clear, long-term product vision and strategy that aligns with the company’s overall mission and business objectives.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive product roadmap, prioritizing initiatives based on market analysis, customer feedback, business value, and strategic importance.
• Lead the entire product lifecycle from ideation and discovery through development, launch, and iteration, ensuring products meet and exceed customer expectations and business goals.
• Conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and customer discovery to identify new opportunities and ensure product-market fit.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO, CTO, and other executive leaders to ensure tight alignment between product strategy and company direction.
• Establish and monitor key product metrics (KPIs) and OKRs to measure success, drive accountability, and inform strategic decisions.
• Serve as the primary product evangelist, effectively communicating the product vision and value proposition to internal stakeholders, customers, partners, and investors.

Data Strategy & Analytics Excellence

• Establish and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide data strategy that governs the collection, storage, processing, and analysis of vast agricultural datasets.
• Lead the data science and analytics functions to unlock actionable insights from complex data sources, including satellite imagery, IoT sensor data, weather patterns, and soil information.
• Oversee the development and deployment of advanced machine learning models and predictive analytics to power core product features, such as yield prediction, pest and disease detection, and resource optimization.
• Implement robust data governance policies and practices to ensure data quality, integrity, privacy, and security across the organization.
• Build and manage a scalable data infrastructure in collaboration with the engineering team to support the growing needs of product development and data analysis.
• Foster a data-driven culture throughout the organization, empowering teams with the tools, training, and access to data they need to make informed decisions.
• Champion the ethical use of data, ensuring all practices comply with relevant regulations and build trust with our customers.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing, diverse team of product managers, data scientists, and UX/UI designers.
• Cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team culture that encourages risk-taking, continuous learning, and a passion for the mission.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and career development paths for team members, providing regular feedback and coaching to foster their growth.
• Work seamlessly with Engineering leadership to ensure efficient and effective product development processes, balancing speed of execution with quality and technical excellence.
• Partner with Marketing and Sales to develop go-to-market strategies, product positioning, and sales enablement materials that drive successful product launches and adoption.
• Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and strategic planning to ensure the teams are equipped for success.

Requirements for the VP Product & Data, AgTech – San Francisco, CA

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in product management, data science, or a related field, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (Director, Sr. Director, or VP level).
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching complex, data-intensive B2B or B2B2C software products from concept to scale.
• Deep expertise in modern product management methodologies, including agile development, user-centered design, and lean principles.
• Strong foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in data science, machine learning, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling.
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading high-performance, multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, high-growth technology environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into a clear and compelling business narrative.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and align stakeholders across all levels of an organization, from engineers to the board of directors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Business, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, or a related discipline) is highly desirable.
• Direct experience in the AgTech, climatetech, IoT, or geospatial industries is a significant plus.
• Experience working with large-scale geospatial data, remote sensing technologies (e.g., satellite, drone imagery), or IoT sensor networks.
• Familiarity with modern data stacks and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and associated data services.
• Experience scaling product and data teams from an early stage through significant growth phases.
• A genuine passion for agriculture, sustainability, and applying technology to solve fundamental global challenges.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package. As a key member of the executive team, you can expect:

• A highly competitive base salary and performance-based executive bonus plan.
• A substantial equity stake in a rapidly growing, venture-backed company.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy with a focus on work-life balance.
• Generous parental leave policy.
• A professional development stipend to support continuous learning, conference attendance, and career growth.
• Commuter benefits and a wellness program.
• A dynamic, mission-driven work environment with a brilliant and passionate team.
• The opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art office in San Francisco, with flexible work arrangements.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary product and data leader with a passion for building transformative technologies that can change the world, we want to hear from you. This is a critical leadership hire, and we are looking for a candidate who is ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime.

To express your interest in this confidential search, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role. For more information on our executive search capabilities in this sector, please visit JRG Partners’ AgTech Executive Recruiters Practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application.