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Ray Osburn
US Citizen
Currently living in Shanghai China with valid working permit and
visa.
E-mail:
elfin600@hotmail.com
Telephone: Home 8621 6460 3401
Highly accomplished executive with
domestic and international experience in operations, management,
and sales. Ability to communicate with diverse clientele,
develop strategic positioning and long range growth planning.
Results oriented, decisive leader with proven success in new
project identification and development. Proven track record of
addressing complex issues in many different countries and
cultures. Tendency to thrive in dynamic and fluid environments
while remaining pragmatic and focused.
Summary of work experience
30+ years
experience in agriculture industry: 25 years in the seed
industry, 12 years in Asia and 5 years working and living in
China.
Apex Seed Company
Asia Territory Sales Manager July 2007-Feb 2008 company
closed
Establish distributors and generate vegetable seed sales in
Asia (China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand,
Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia). Coordinate
regional variety testing trials and selections, collecting
data on variety performance. Generate marketing and
technical promotional material, asset the product
development manager to create a competitive range of
products. Plan marketing strategies, develop product and
market profiles, and collect regional pricing data.
Investors withdrew support and Apex Seed closed in Feb 2008.
Consulting
SQM Europe N.V. Specialty Fertilizer Company March 2006-July
2007
China Consulting General Manager
First year accomplishments:
1) Study of China fertilizer industry
2) Increase sales from $6 million to $15 million
3) Built dealer/distribution net work. Establishing 5
dealers.
4) Hired and trained 2 Chinese agronomists. Develop training
program.
5) Began product testing in various regions of China
6) 2007 began developing 2nd OEM sales net work
Husi Co. (Division OSI Foods) supplies 600 McDonald’s
restaurants in China. 2003-2004
Improved lettuce production techniques and product shelf
life.
ACDI/VOCA (a GMO UN contractor) The Rural Enterprise Unit in
Eritrea, Africa
Row crop and land use consultant project. Eight month
project.
• Develop vegetable production training program.
• Oversee, coordinate and monitor program operation
Seminis Vegetable Seed Co. Inc.
2700 Camion del Sol, Oxnard Ca. 93023 1981-2003
Director, Business and Product Development- China
China sales of $20 million
Responsibility to test, evaluate and develop company product
line in China market. Expand company sales and establish
long range strategic planning for continued business
development. Develop countrywide customer service system and
establish an in country product supply system. Provide
cross-functional management within the company between USA
and China.
Key Achievements:
*Develop in country seed production and packaging system.
*Introduce new vegetable varieties to China and train
farmers how to grow hybrids.
* Designed and implemented countrywide 5 year growth and
development plan.
* Established 3 new China sales offices, plans for 4
additional offices.
* Develop continuing product training program and motivate
staff.
* Opened new marketing areas in China.
* Introduced new technologies into the market.
Prior positions held at Seminis Co. Inc.
Asia/Pacific Sales Administrator 1996-2001
*Investigate customer complaints and make recommendations to
improve vegetable production.
* Developed company policy in Asia/Pacific
* Responsible for sales administration for half the world
for $400 million WW budget
* Managed company salesmen and company dealers for
Asia/Pacific
* Reviewed all Asia salesmen forecasts
US/Canada Distribution Manager 1987-1996
* Managed 7 distribution warehoused in US and Canada/28
people
* Distribution restructuring to save $1.5 million/year
Salesman 1981-1987
* Product sales representative for 3 counties in USA
Western Farm Service (Shell Chemical Co. ) 1977-1981
* Lead advisor- contracted to UNICAL Southern California to
make study and recommendations for environmental restoration
of abandoned sites.
*California licensed pest control advisor and manager for
custom application company 5 years
* Made pest control recommendations to use biological and
chemical approaches to pest control
* Custom application and blending of crop fertilizers and
micronutrients
Vineyards of Jamaica W.I. 1975-1977
*Developed and managed a 1,000 ac rice and vegetable farm in
Jamaica W.I.
* managed all production operations (planting, irrigation,
cultivation, pest management etc.
Education
* Purdue
University ASTA Management Academy
* Cal Poly University- BS degree in Soils Science 1971
* MS program in International Agricultural development (no
degree)
Other qualifications
* Spoken
Mandarin Chinese-basic to intermediate ability
* Spoken Thai language courses USAF
* Panel of arbitrators American Arbitration Association
* San Joaquin County Agricultural Advisory Board co-chair
1992-93
* US Air Force, rank of Sergeant, honorable discharge and
decorated
Publications
China
Vegetable Market Update, Asian Fruit and vegetable magazine,
Sept 2003
Arbitrate or litigate, Business times, Feb 1999
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