Plant Breeding Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Plant Breeding Specialist oversees a non-GMO plant/seed breeding initiative focused on identifying superior traits for yield, quality, and resilience. This role encompasses managing breeding activities, conducting field tests, and scaling up plant production for commercial applications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of raw materials and their critical attributes for optimal growth, including color, enhanced growth, yield potential, and resistance to diseases and pests.
• Collaborate with universities to advance new plant varieties through the breeding process, including selection, screening, greenhouse cultivation, and field trial management.
• Design and execute field trials, assess trial outcomes, and perform statistical analyses, demonstrating strong agronomic skills in identifying and addressing weed, insect, and disease pressures.
• Generate and deliver trial data sets to develop strategies for acquiring high-quality raw materials.
• Coordinate with the Global Agronomy Team and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful commercialization of new plant varieties.
• Maintain knowledge of APHIS regulations concerning import requirements, permits, and phytosanitary standards.
• Regularly visit field plots to monitor crop trial progress and support farmers in scaling up plant production.
• Manage an internal seed/plant catalogue and oversee intellectual property rights related to new varieties.
• Collaborate with food scientists and agricultural engineers to enhance specialty crop characteristics across the supply chain.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Agronomy or Plant Breeding.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in plant breeding, preferably with a focus on vegetables such as sweet potatoes.
• Extensive knowledge of vegetable plant genetics and growth principles.
• Hands-on experience in farm operations, including planting, fertilizing, and harvesting plants.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in data analytics, statistics, and organizational/time management.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.

SALARY:

• Base Salary: $90,000
• Experience Level: Minimum of 3 to 5 years’
• Travel: 15% to 40%
• Location: On-Site