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Head Of Plant Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

A. Duda & Sons Inc

Assistant Plant Breeder

Salinas, CA · On-site

Assistant Plant Breeder Location: Salinas, CA Department: Research & Development Position Type ... What You'll Do * Assist in the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of breeding and ...

Stefanini

Plant Breeding Field Assistant

Dawson, GA

$14 - $15/hr

Stefanini is looking for a Plant Breeding Field Assistant in Dawson, GA 39842 For quick Apply ... Most activities are done with a team of technicians under the supervision of Client full-time ...

PepsiCo

Potato Breeding Technician

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

$54K - $82K/yr

Maintain accurate records of plant materials, growth stages, breeding activities, and greenhouse operations using PepsiCo's digital systems. * Work with breeders and assistant breeders to phenotype ...

PepsiCo

Potato Breeding Technician

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

$54K - $82K/yr

Maintain accurate records of plant materials, growth stages, breeding activities, and greenhouse operations using PepsiCo's digital systems. * Work with breeders and assistant breeders to phenotype ...

PepsiCo

Potato Breeding Technician

Rhinelander, WI

$54K - $82K/yr

Maintain accurate records of plant materials, growth stages, breeding activities, and greenhouse operations using PepsiCo's digital systems. * Work with breeders and assistant breeders to phenotype ...

PepsiCo

Potato Breeding Technician

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

$54K - $82K/yr

Maintain accurate records of plant materials, growth stages, breeding activities, and greenhouse operations using PepsiCo's digital systems. * Work with breeders and assistant breeders to phenotype ...

PepsiCo

Potato Breeding Technician

Rhinelander, WI · On-site

$54K - $82K/yr

Maintain accurate records of plant materials, growth stages, breeding activities, and greenhouse operations using PepsiCo's digital systems. * Work with breeders and assistant breeders to phenotype ...

Syngenta Group

Breeding Intern-Watermelon

Woodland, CA · On-site

$20 - $45/hr

Knowledge of plant breeding. Additional Information Salary for this position ranges between $20 - $45 hourly. What We Offer: * A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes ...

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How much do head of plant breeding jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for head of plant breeding in the United States is $22.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a head of plant breeding do?

A Head of Plant Breeding leads and manages the development of new plant varieties by overseeing breeding programs, coordinating research teams, and collaborating with geneticists and agronomists. They set breeding objectives, analyze data, ensure compliance with regulations, and manage budgets. Their goal is to create improved crops with desired traits such as higher yield, disease resistance, or adaptability to climate change. Additionally, they often liaise with external stakeholders, including farmers, regulatory bodies, and commercial partners.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of plant breeding, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Plant Breeding, you need an advanced degree in plant genetics, crop science, or a related field, along with extensive experience in breeding program management. Familiarity with molecular breeding techniques, statistical analysis software, and data management systems is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and achieving organizational breeding objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of plant breeding, and how can they be addressed?

A Head of Plant Breeding often faces challenges such as balancing the need for innovation with regulatory compliance, managing diverse research teams, and keeping up with rapid technological advancements. Navigating intellectual property issues and meeting market demands for new crop varieties can also be complex. Successful leaders address these challenges by fostering open communication, investing in staff development, and staying informed about industry trends and regulatory changes. Collaboration with other departments, such as agronomy and marketing, is essential to align breeding objectives with broader organizational goals.

What are popular job titles related to Head Of Plant Breeding jobs?

For Head Of Plant Breeding jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Head Of Plant Breeding job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 27% As Needed, and 70% Full Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,521 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Assistant Plant Breeder

Salinas, CA • On-site

A. Duda & Sons Inc
501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about A. Duda & Sons Incexternal

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Assistant Plant Breeder

Location: Salinas, CA Department: Research & Development Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Join Our Research & Development Team

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Assistant Plant Breeder to join our growing Research & Development team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a large, international breeding program focused on vegetable crops including celery, radish, kale, collards, cilantro, and other specialty crops.

Reporting to the Vice President of Research & Development, the Assistant Plant Breeder will play a key role in advancing breeding initiatives, developing improved commercial varieties, and supporting research projects that impact every stage of the production cycle. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including production, harvest, and processing operations, while gaining hands‑on experience in both traditional and modern plant breeding techniques.

What You’ll Do
  • Assist in the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of breeding and research trials.
  • Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret breeding and field trial data.
  • Participate in variety development activities, including plant selection, crossing, evaluation, and advancement of breeding lines.
  • Maintain accurate breeding records, databases, and trial documentation.
  • Support seed production, breeding cage operations, isolation trials, and seed harvest activities.
  • Prepare technical reports, presentations, and summaries of research and breeding results.
  • Collaborate with production, harvest, processing, and research teams to evaluate crop performance and quality attributes.
  • Contribute to the implementation of modern breeding technologies and tools, including marker-assisted breeding, genomic selection, and other emerging methodologies.
  • Travel to trial locations and research sites as needed.
What We’re Looking For Education
  • Master’s degree required in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Horticulture, Biology, or a related field.
  • Ph.D. preferred.
Experience & Skills
  • One or more years of experience in plant breeding, agricultural research, field trials, or related agricultural responsibilities.
  • Strong data collection, analysis, and recordkeeping skills.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office applications; proficiency with Excel preferred.
  • Familiarity with database management systems is a plus.
  • Knowledge of plant breeding principles, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
  • Laboratory and research experience preferred.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Additional Qualifications
  • Valid driver's license required.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
  • Ability to work in diverse environments, including office, laboratory, greenhouse, warehouse, cold storage, and field settings.
  • Bilingual skills are a plus but not required.
Why Join Duda?

At Duda, innovation and agriculture come together to create sustainable solutions for the future of fresh food. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside industry-leading researchers and contribute to meaningful projects that directly impact the development of improved vegetable varieties for commercial production around the world.

We offer a collaborative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting impact within a respected agricultural organization.

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