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Manager Plant Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KWS SAAT SE

Seed Production Manager Ogden

Ogden, UT · On-site

Manage the planning, planting and harvesting of proprietary seed production in assigned region ... It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals ...

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Manager Plant Breeding information

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$31K

$106.4K

$165.5K

How much do manager plant breeding jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for manager plant breeding in the United States is $106,365.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job with plants?

The highest paying jobs in plant-related fields often include roles such as Plant Breeding Manager, Agronomist, or Plant Geneticist, especially in biotechnology or agricultural corporations. These positions typically require advanced degrees, specialized skills, and experience, and can offer salaries exceeding $100,000 annually depending on the industry and location.

How much money do plant breeders make?

Plant breeders, including those in managerial roles, typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior or specialized plant breeding managers can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses and health insurance, and requires knowledge of plant genetics and breeding techniques.

How much does a horse breeding manager make?

A horse breeding manager typically earns between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the operation. The role requires knowledge of equine genetics, breeding techniques, and management skills, often involving overseeing breeding schedules and maintaining health records.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager Plant Breeding, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manager Plant Breeding, you need expertise in genetics, plant breeding techniques, and crop science, often supported by a master's or doctoral degree in plant breeding or a related field. Familiarity with breeding software, molecular marker technologies, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure effective breeding program management, innovation, and successful collaboration within multidisciplinary teams to achieve high-yield, resilient crop varieties.

Will AI replace the plant breeder?

AI can assist plant breeders by analyzing large datasets, predicting plant traits, and optimizing breeding strategies, but it does not replace the need for expert knowledge, creativity, and fieldwork. Plant breeding remains a complex process that requires understanding genetics, environment, and crop management. Professionals in this field will increasingly use AI tools to enhance their work but will continue to play a vital role in decision-making and innovation.

What are Manager Plant Breeding jobs?

Manager Plant Breeding jobs involve leading teams and overseeing projects related to the development and improvement of plant varieties. This role typically includes coordinating breeding programs, managing research staff, setting breeding objectives, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Managers in plant breeding work closely with scientists, agronomists, and sometimes commercial partners to develop plants with desirable traits such as higher yield, disease resistance, or climate adaptability. The position requires strong leadership skills, a background in agricultural science or genetics, and experience with plant breeding methodologies.

What are the typical challenges a Manager Plant Breeding faces when leading a breeding program?

A Manager Plant Breeding often encounters challenges such as balancing the need for rapid variety development with ensuring genetic diversity and crop resilience. Managing a multidisciplinary team, coordinating field trials across multiple locations, and integrating new technologies like marker-assisted selection can also be demanding. Additionally, the role requires staying up-to-date with regulatory requirements and ensuring that breeding activities align with both commercial goals and sustainability practices. Effective communication with research staff, agronomists, and commercial partners is crucial for success.

What is the difference between Manager Plant Breeding vs Plant Breeding Specialist?

AspectManager Plant BreedingPlant Breeding Specialist
ResponsibilitiesOversees breeding programs, manages teams, develops strategiesConducts breeding experiments, develops new plant varieties
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Plant Science, experience in breedingBachelor's or Master's in Plant Science, hands-on breeding experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership role, project management, team coordinationLaboratory and field research, experimental work
Industry UsageCommon in agricultural companies, research institutionsUsed in similar settings, often as a technical role

The main difference is that the Manager Plant Breeding oversees breeding programs and manages teams, while the Plant Breeding Specialist focuses on conducting experiments and developing new plant varieties. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in related environments, but the manager has additional leadership responsibilities.

More about Manager Plant Breeding jobs
What cities are hiring for Manager Plant Breeding jobs? Cities with the most Manager Plant Breeding job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Breeding jobs? The most popular types of Plant Breeding jobs are:
What states have the most Manager Plant Breeding jobs? States with the most job openings for Manager Plant Breeding jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Manager Plant Breeding jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Manager Plant Breeding jobs are:
Manager Plant Breeding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manager Plant Breeding job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,365 per year, or $51.1 per hour.
Assistant Breeder

Assistant Breeder

BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

Guadalupe, CA

$22.50 - $36/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Description

Key Responsibilities:

To assist, support, implement and evaluate plant breeding project components as needed for PanAmerican Seed Co. Plant Breeders in the execution of their high priority projects. This may include training and supervision of technicians. In addition, the Assistant Plant Breeder will be trained in commercial flower breeding and may have limited, small plant breeding projects of their own.


Essential Functions - What needs to Be Accomplished?

  1. An Assistant Plant Breeder may assist other plant breeders with organization of trials, bioassays, note taking & documentation as well as execution of various aspects of the breeding cycle as needed. 
  2. As part of training and to gain proficiency, an Assistant Plant Breeder may also have some small, limited plant breeding projects of their own, assigned by a Regional Breeding Director, as part of the overall PanAm R&D strategic goals.
  3. Provide supervision and training to current breeder technicians, as appropriate.
  4. Assist in execution of breeder trials on behalf of off-site locations, trials managers and /or Plant Breeders.
  5. Ability to interact with a wide range of skills levels and personalities.
  6. In conjunction with the breeding supervisor, work with product manager, production, Helix and culture research to ensure highest product quality.


Other Responsibilities:

1.  Other duties and responsibilities determined by the Supervisor.

Requirements

  1. BS in Horticulture with an emphasis on Plant Sciences/Plant Breeding or similar relevant experience.
  2. Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team in a matrix organization. 
  3. Demonstrates drive, motivation and organizational skills.
  4. Ability to interact with a wide range of skill levels and personalities.
  5. Effective communicator with both written and verbal communication proficiency.  
  6. Proficiency using MS Office and breeding database related software.
  7. Infrequent travel (as directed by Supervisor). <10%

Physical Requirements

  1. Ability to work in greenhouse environment with long periods of standing
  2. Sometimes required to do heavy lifting, moving, etc.

Scope of Responsibility

Staff: May have supervisory responsibility, as directed by Supervisor

Budgets: May have budgetary responsibility at payroll level, as appropriate


Our Promise to you

We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable. 

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes: 

  • Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
  • 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
  • Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
  • Tuition assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs

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