An interview with Joe Martin
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Tell us a little bit about your role at Corteva?
I am a Field Technical Manager (FTM) with responsibilities for Oilseed Rape Herbicides, Seed Applied Technology and Instinct and I work closely with the Local Product Concept Teams (LPCT) and Category Marketing Managers, to support our new and existing products in these three areas. I am also the technical lead for two distribution companies, providing them with relevant technical input and information about Corteva products.
I’m also the focal point for Water Stewardship and work with the water companies and relevant stakeholders on the development of best practice and stewardship advice. The breadth of my role also extends to FTM support for Minor Uses in Speciality crops to support the horticultural industry.
It’s a great and varied role working with a number of people both within Corteva and partners outside the organisation, from organising trials to demonstrating new products, meeting customers, presenting data, generating presentations for Area Managers, working with water companies and being that link between the research teams and sales teams.
Can you describe your journey to becoming a Field Technical Manager at Corteva?
I went to Nottingham Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University) and studied Applied Biology specialising in Crop Protection, a fantastic course that many people have been through in the industry. During each year we were given the opportunity to spend 6 months on placement in the industry. During two placements I worked for Oxford Agricultural Trials and then ICI (now Syngenta) and worked in trials. My lecturer, Dr Bill Carlisle, was brilliant in supporting students in the field of Crop Protection and this is what genuinely built my interest.
After university, I initially worked for The Laboratory of the Government Chemist (now known as LGC Group) but didn’t feel that a lab role was quite right for me and moved to Agrisearch (now Eurofins) as a Trials Agronomist. I spent nearly 20 years with Eurofins in various roles including Trials Coordinator, Study Director and Country Manager, with responsibility for the field teams in the UK and Ireland. Some highlights whilst working there included regionalisation of the field teams and setting up the Irish base and team. From there I moved to AHDB and worked on a number of projects in the Crop Health and Protection team including finding crop protection solutions for Horticulture in a programme called SCEPTREplus. This gave me huge experience in a whole range of crops, meeting growers and presenting results to them as well as working with the team to apply for Minor Use Authorisations (EAMUs) including liaising with CRD.
Whilst at Eurofins and AHDB I had opportunities to work with Corteva and got a great feel for the company. When the role for Field Technical Manager was advertised, I jumped at the chance.
What has been the most interesting project you’ve worked on at Corteva?
Difficult to say as my role is varied and I enjoy all the projects I work on. The process of bringing new products to market is both interesting and exciting and being part of a leading R&D Manufacturer doing just this is truly inspiring!
How do you keep up to date with the latest advancements and trends in agriculture?
Corteva offers numerous opportunities for keeping up-to-date and for development, including attending relevant industry events, subscribing to publications, and engaging in courses and learning, which has recently enabled me to complete the BASIS PPA course. Additionally, my colleagues are highly knowledgeable and always willing to share their expertise.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a Field Technical Manager in the agricultural industry?
I started as a Trials Agronomist after a degree in Applied Biology, specialising in Crop Protection. This was a really good start, and I gained a lot of experience at Eurofins and AHDB in various roles. I worked not only with a range of crops but also with farmers, growers, and agronomists. Along the way, I gained experience in presenting and demonstrating data and trials. I would recommend trying to experience working with a variety of crops, learning as much as possible, and building connections with people across the industry.
Why would you recommend Corteva as a great place to work?
I love working for Corteva. The people are brilliant and really easy to work with. Everyone is helpful, and it’s a real team environment. You can learn a lot, and there are many opportunities to be part of different activities, such as new product demonstrations, meeting customers, experiencing a wide range of crops, and expanding your knowledge. You feel valued and recognised for your contributions, which encourages a positive and productive work environment.
If you are looking for a role with a difference, Corteva is the right choice, providing valuable learning experiences. Find out more about our talented team here.
