Agricultural Operations Lead

KWS SAAT SE; Tangent (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

401k with match

Flexible PTO

Professional training and development

Job summary

KWS Seeds LLC is seeking a permanent, full‑time Agricultural Operations Lead in Tangent, OR to support steck nurseries and provide in‑season field production support. The role includes managing nursery activities, irrigation evaluation, pest scouting, and coordinating temporary workers.

Travel up to six weeks per year, operate a truck/trailer and forklift, and uphold safety policies. A CDL and pesticide license may be required within six months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related experience.
• Knowledge of agricultural pesticides and weed identification.
• Experience operating, loading and driving a loaded trailer.
• Valid driver's license and ability to obtain pesticide license and CDL within 6 months

Responsibilities

• Support OR and AZ steck nurseries and coordinate nursery activities.
• Operate planter and ensure correct genetics and quantity.
• Oversee irrigation evaluation, pest scouting, weed evaluation and maintenance.
• Coordinate and supervise temporary workers in warehouse and field.
• Move materials with truck/trailer and support field trials.
• Provide SAP and SPRITE training and troubleshoot data entry.
• Travel up to 6 weeks per year to locations outside Oregon.
• Ensure safety policies and PPE usage.
• Drive forklift as needed

Skills

Pesticide knowledge

Weed identification

Trailer operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture

Tools

SAP

SPRITE

Job description

KWS Seeds LLC is looking for a permanent full-time Agricultural Operations Lead in Tangent, OR!

The focus of this role is to support the steck nursery activities as well as provide in-season support to the Commercial and Pre-Commercial field production.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support the OR and AZ steck nurseries.
• Split and package seed ensuring seed integrity
• Plant the steck nursery- operate the planter confirming you plant the correct genetics at the requested amount
• Support steck nursery maintenance- includes but not limited to irrigation evaluation, disease/pest scouting, planting counts/ratings, weed evaluation, off-type identification
• Support steck harvest activities- digging and transportation support ensuring genetic integrity and steck health
• Coordinate and provide work direction to temporary employees doing warehouse and/or field work.
• Operate a truck & trailer to transport materials and equipment for agronomic activities as requested.
• Assist with Pre-Commercial activities when needed, help deliver and set up irrigation, tractor work, topping, rogueing, and other agronomic activities.
• Support warehouse activities including but not limited to coordinating equipment maintenance, parts managements, equipment rentals, chemical storage, and general organization and cleanliness of the warehouse.
• Provide system support to all field staff. This includes SAP and SPRITE training, reporting, data entry and troubleshooting.
• Support field trials to improve cultural field practices including but not limited to field preparation/maintenance to improve plant health and seed quality.
• Travel up to 6 weeks per year to various locations outside of Oregon to assist with field production activities.
• Ensure Company handbook, RGPs and safety policies are followed and personal protective equipment is used correctly.
• Drive and/or operate a forklift on behalf of the business.
• Meet attendance requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in an Agriculture related field, or applicable experience
• Basic knowledge of agricultural pesticides and weed identification
• Demonstrated experience operating, loading and driving a loaded trailer
• Experience in agriculture
• Valid driver's license
• Able to obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator's License (within 6 months of hire)
• Able to obtain a CDL (within 6 months of hire)

Our Offer:

• A salary between $60,000 to $65,000. This role is also eligible for an annual bonus. This reflects a reasonable estimate of the targeted base salary for this role. Based on factors such as geographic location and candidate qualifications, actual base pay is determined when an employment offer is made
• Pension plan
• 401k with match
• Flexible paid-time-off (PTO)
• Professional training and development opportunities

Interested? Then submit your application via our online application system SuccessFactors! Please click the "Apply" button.

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.