Seafood Business and Market Development (Extension) Specialist

Job Details

Essential Job Duties

As the Seafood Business & Market Development Specialist, you will serve as a trusted business and market development resource for North Carolina’s seafood industry, advising aquaculture growers, commercial fishers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, and other industry partners. You will translate business, market, and economic information into practical guidance that helps seafood businesses grow, diversify, strengthen supply chains, and respond to changing market conditions.

Your work will connect people, products, markets, and resources to strengthen North Carolina’s seafood economy. Whether helping a grower identify a new market, a retailer connect consumers with local seafood, or an industry partner navigate distribution challenges, you will turn knowledge into action that supports resilient businesses and expands opportunities for North Carolina seafood.

Key Responsibilities:

Business & Market Development:

• Advise seafood businesses on planning, growth, market opportunities, financial resources, and operating challenges.
• Strengthen supply chains and distribution while connecting North Carolina seafood with retail, restaurant, and other markets.
• Support diversification through direct-to-consumer sales, value-added products, and “blue tourism.”
• Use market trends and economic data to help businesses anticipate risks and respond to market shifts.

Consumer & Market Outreach:

• Strengthen branding, traceability, and value propositions that differentiate locally harvested seafood.
• Leverage resources such as Mariner’s Menu to build consumer confidence and demand for local seafood.

Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives:

• Collaborate with Sea Grant, Cooperative Extension, researchers, industry, and state and federal agencies to advance seafood priorities.
• Support initiatives such as the NC Shellfish Mariculture Strategic Plan and engage with the National Sea Grant network.

Applied Research & Program Development:

• Develop proposals, pursue funding, and support research and extension projects from development through reporting and evaluation.
• Contribute to Sea Grant planning, interdisciplinary projects, grant reviews, and program initiatives.

Education & Industry Readiness:

• Deliver training and develop practical resources on business fundamentals, market readiness, marketing, supply chains, and seafood safety.
• Track program reach, outcomes, and performance for NC Sea Grant and the National Sea Grant Office.

If you enjoy turning ideas, information, and relationships into practical solutions, you’ll find opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Join NC Sea Grant to strengthen seafood businesses, connect local products with new markets, and turn knowledge into opportunities for coastal communities.

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department’s operations. 

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Aquaculture, Business Administration, Marketing, Agricultural/Applied Economics, Marine Science, Fisheries, Marine Policy, or a closely related field, and a minimum of three years of experience in seafood business management or consulting, small business advising, food system coordination, marine industry extension, or related practice.

OR

Undergraduate degree in Aquaculture, Business Administration, Marketing, Agricultural/Applied Economics, Marine Science, Fisheries, Marine Policy, or a closely related field, and a minimum of six years of experience in seafood-related business management or consulting, small business advising, food system coordination, marine industry extension, or related practice.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Collaboration skills to work effectively with faculty, administrators, colleagues, industry partners, and other stakeholders in a complex organization or university setting.
• Initiative and independence to move work forward while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Experience developing and implementing work plans with clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Communication skills to translate complex, research-based or technical information into clear, practical language for varied audiences.
• Relationship-building and listening skills to understand stakeholder needs, build trust, and maintain effective partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of aquaculture and commercial fishing practices, with experience providing extension programming or technical assistance to the seafood industry.
• Experience working in a university, land-grant, or Cooperative Extension setting.

Contact Information