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Manager Plant Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

People management skillsWorking environment: Our offer: * Competitive salary ($25.5 - $28 per hour ... It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals ...

Greenhouse Technician Kimberly

Kimberly, ID · On-site

$14.25 - $16.50/hr

The Greenhouse Technician Kimberly assists the greenhouse manager and senior technicians in all ... It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals ...

Research Assistant

Immokalee, FL · On-site

$17.25 - $23.75/hr

... plant pathologists, geneticists, and other departments to support breeding projects • Manage tissue sampling and submission of genotyping and pathology projects • Travel to domestic and ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 22, 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 a manager plant breeding?

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 key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a manager plant breeding?

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.

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:

Infographic showing various Manager Plant Breeding job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,365 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Station Technician Champaign

KWS SAAT SE

Champaign, IL • On-site

$25.50 - $28/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Join our Champaign Agricultural Research team! KWS Cereals USA is looking for a Farming Technician who will support the wheat farming activities by creating or executing work plans for all aspects of trial andd equipment maintenance activities including all field and workshop dudties. This permanent position is a full time and located in Champaign, IL.
Essential job functions:
  • Operate planting, tillage, and harvest equipment including proprietary technology and hardware.
  • Assist with equipment and vehicle maintenance including fabrication and repairs. Including designing and fabricating unique machinery as needed.
  • Operate the required proprietary software for data collection and record keeping.
  • Operate commercial vehicles and forklifts.
  • Mix chemicals for pesticide applications. Organize, direct and apply pesticides to field sites as needed.
  • May utilize spreadsheets to analyze work plans and make recommendations.
  • Train and provide work direction to seasonal workers and coordinate schedules as needed.
  • Ensure work plans are executed according to due dates and deadlines to ensure successful completion of trials.
  • Ensure Company handbook, Rules, Guidelines and Procedures and safety policies are followed and personal protective equipment is used correctly.
  • Travel and/or drive on behalf of the business.
  • Meet attendance requirements.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:
  • Knowledge of crop production, farming practices, and farm equipment operation and repair.
  • Good mechanical skills.
  • Ability to work outdoors.
  • Ability to work non-standard hours when needed.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing to obtain and maintain a CDL.
  • Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a forklift driver's license.
  • Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a pesticide applicators license.
  • Basic computer skills (Microsoft O4ce, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
  • Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
  • HS diploma or equivalent.

Preferred qualifications:
  • BA/BS in Agriculture or related degree.
  • 2+ years of applicable work experience working in crop farming and/or field-based research environment.
  • People management skillsWorking environment:

Our offer:
  • Competitive salary ($25.5 - $28 per hour) and bonus system
  • Health, dental, vision benefits
  • Pension plan and 401(k) with employer match
  • Flexible paid-time-off (PTO)
  • Professional training and development opportunities

Must wear required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as needed. Able to work in varied environmental conditions (loud, hot, cold, dusty, damp, etc.), which will include outdoor work and exposure to different pollens. Flexibility to work rotating shifts as needed (including weekends, night shifts, and holidays). Ability to work individually and within a team setting. Travel as needed which may include overnights.
Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and bend and twist. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Interested? Then submit your application via our online application system SuccessFactors! Please click the "Apply" button.
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About KWS
KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies and employs around 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries. With the tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods and invests a significant amount in research and development.
At KWS, diversity is not just a value; it is an essential part of our success. Breeding resilient crops requires diversity; likewise, our strength comes from the diversity of our teams. Whatever your background or identity is, we invite you to join us.
Further information: https://www.kws.com/corp/en/careers/. Follow us on LinkedIn® at https://linkedin.com/company/kwsgroup/.
Our data privacy policy for candidates is available on www.kws.com/dataprotection. Please select the country where the job you applied for is posted in and, if applicable, the specific business unit.