The Program Manager, Trade & Market Development is responsible for the development, management, and delivery of Bioenterprise Canada’s trade and market development initiatives that support the growth and competitiveness of Canadian agri-tech and agri-food businesses.
The Program Manager will work directly with participating companies to understand their business and market development priorities and connect them with the expertise, resources, networks, and opportunities needed to pursue new markets and accelerate growth. The role will coordinate a range of company-focused activities, including market development, trade readiness, business development, strategic connections, advisory support, and industry engagement.
Working closely with Bioenterprise Canada’s internal teams, government stakeholders, industry organizations, trade and market experts, advisors, and other ecosystem partners, the Program Manager will ensure programs are delivered effectively, on time, within budget, and in accordance with approved objectives and funding requirements.
The role will also contribute to the design and development of new initiatives, partnerships, and services that respond to the evolving needs of Canadian agri-tech and agri-food businesses and align with Bioenterprise Canada’s strategic priorities.
The successful candidate will bring strong program and project management capabilities combined with an understanding of business growth, market development, commercialization, and the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
This position will be fulfilled through a hybrid work model, with onsite work at Bioenterprise Canada’s head office in Guelph, Ontario, and remote work. Occasional travel within Canada to partner locations, company sites, conferences, trade events, and other external locations may be required.
Responsibilities
Program & Portfolio Management
- Lead the planning, implementation, and day-to-day management of trade and market development programs and initiatives.
- Develop and maintain program workplans, timelines, budgets, milestones, processes, and performance measures.
- Ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and within scope.
- Manage multiple projects and activities simultaneously, ensuring priorities and deadlines are effectively coordinated.
- Identify program risks, challenges, and opportunities and implement appropriate solutions and interventions.
- Establish and maintain effective program processes, tools, templates, and documentation.
- Monitor program performance and make recommendations to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and participant experience.
- Ensure program activities align with Bioenterprise Canada’s strategic priorities and commitments to partners and funders.
Company & Market Development
- Work directly with participating companies to understand their business objectives, growth priorities, market opportunities, and challenges.
- Support companies in assessing market development and trade-readiness opportunities.
- Help companies identify potential domestic and international markets, customers, partners, and channels for growth.
- Connect companies with relevant advisors, subject-matter experts, industry partners, trade resources, investors, and other ecosystem supports.
- Facilitate strategic introductions and opportunities that can contribute to company growth and market development.
- Support companies in developing practical market development plans, priorities, and next steps.
- Track company engagement, progress, and outcomes throughout their participation in programs.
- Identify opportunities to connect companies across Bioenterprise Canada’s broader network.
Program Reporting & Performance Measurement
- Prepare accurate and timely program reports for internal leadership, funders, government stakeholders, and partners.
- Track program participation, activities, budgets, milestones, outputs, outcomes, and key performance indicators.
- Collect and maintain accurate participant and program data.
- Monitor program expenditures and support effective financial management.
- Ensure program delivery meets applicable funding agreements, policies, reporting requirements, and performance expectations.
- Develop presentations, dashboards, briefing materials, status reports, and other program documentation.
- Capture participant success stories, outcomes, lessons learned, and broader program impacts.
- Use program data and participant feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Communications & Outreach
- Work with Bioenterprise Canada’s Marketing and Communications team to develop program communications, promotional materials, participant communications, success stories, presentations, and other content.
- Support outreach and recruitment of appropriate companies and participants.
- Communicate program opportunities clearly to companies, partners, stakeholders, and the broader agriculture and agri-food ecosystem.
- Represent Bioenterprise Canada and its programs professionally at events, meetings, conferences, and other external activities.
Team Collaboration
- Work collaboratively across Bioenterprise Canada to coordinate program delivery and leverage organizational expertise and resources.
- Collaborate with senior management, Programs, Marketing and Communications, Partnerships, and other teams to achieve program and organizational objectives.
- Participate actively in strategic planning, team meetings, program discussions, and organizational initiatives.
- Share market intelligence, participant insights, and sector knowledge across the organization.
- Contribute to a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and solutions-oriented work environment.
- Execute other responsibilities or tasks that are germane to the role and its evolution.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business, agriculture, agri-food, international business, economics, trade, marketing, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in program management, project management, business development, trade, market development, economic development, commercialization, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing programs, projects, or client-facing initiatives from planning through implementation and evaluation.
- Experience working with businesses, entrepreneurs, industry organizations, government, funders, or ecosystem partners.
- Knowledge and experience in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector is an asset.
- Knowledge of international markets, trade development, export readiness, market expansion, or commercialization is an asset.
- Experience with government-funded programs and related reporting requirements is an asset.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM, project management, data management, and collaboration platforms.
- Marketing and communications experience is an asset.
- French language skills are an asset.
Candidate Skills & Traits
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.
- Strong business and market orientation, with an ability to understand company needs and identify practical opportunities for growth.
- Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
- A proactive and solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
- The ability to work effectively across teams and organizations.
- Strong attention to detail and accountability for deliverables.
- Comfort working independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
- The ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving organization.
- A willingness to take on new challenges and contribute to the development of new programs and initiatives.
Salary depends on experience.
