Breeding Specialist, Lettuce

SeedQuest; Acampo (CA); On-site; USD 62,400 - 85,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive retirement savings plan

Comprehensive mental health support

Career development opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

SeedQuest is seeking a Breeding Specialist to join its Agricultural Solutions team in Acampo, CA. This role involves assisting in the development of a commercial lettuce pipeline and executing selection and data collection trials. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or genetics and hands-on experience in field data collection. The position offers flexibility and a competitive salary range of $62,400 – $85,800.

Qualifications

• 1+ years’ experience in plant breeding or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in field data collection.
• Proficiency in data management tools and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Breeder in developing a commercial lettuce pipeline.
• Conduct screening trials for evaluation and gather data.
• Present findings at meetings and coordinate material movements.

Skills

Plant breeding experience

Field data collection

Data management tools

Communication skills

Organization and time management

Education

BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, or genetics

MSc preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located.

Location: Acampo, California, USA

Job ID:135713

We are looking for a Breeding Specialist to join our Agricultural Solutions team for our BASF | Nunhems Vegetable Seeds business in Acampo, CA or Salinas, CA.

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division connects innovation, customers, partners and agricultural experts and integrates sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We help farmers deliver the best possible outcomes, working to achieve the balance between economic, environmental and social value creation for sustainable and efficient agriculture.

The Breeding Specialist will assist the Breeder in the development of a commercial lettuce pipeline by conducting screening trials for evaluation, gathering data, selecting plants, and producing seed with the objective of developing superior varieties with desired performance.

As a Breeding Specialist - Lettuce, you create chemistry by...

• Planning, organizing, coordinating, and executing selection, collection, and transportation of screening material, including selecting from screening trials per breeding direction
• Physically collecting plant material and overseeing transport for grow‑out after field evaluation and selection
• Coordinating and communicating selection and material movement schedules with the Farm Manager and providing technical guidance to meet production standards, timelines, and budgets
• Using breeding software to organize, enter, and validate trial data; analyzing results and preparing summary reports for stakeholders
• Ensuring data capture and storage meet guidelines and company protocols, including trial preparation, data entry, analysis, and report distribution
• Making proposals and drawing conclusions to support breeding program decisions at divisional and corporate levels
• Presenting data, conclusions, and recommendations at elevation meetings and ensuring timely reporting to stakeholders for decision making
• Planning, designing, organizing, and coordinating planting, evaluation/harvest, and post‑harvest activities for PD and screening trials as defined by the breeder
• Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting trait data from all trials and communicating findings to stakeholders
• Performing other duties as assigned to support business objectives

If you...

• Hold a BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, or a closely related field (MSc preferred)
• Have 1+ years’ experience in plant breeding or a related discipline (3+ years preferred)
• Possess hands‑on experience in field data collection and working in outdoor field conditions
• Have experience reviewing and interpreting trial data and preparing clear reports for stakeholders
• Demonstrate professional agronomic skills (crop-specific and general agronomy, pathology, crop management, nutrition, automation)
• Understand horticultural practices, genetics, experimental design, and basic statistical analysis
• Drive results and take personal ownership of decisions and outcomes
• Exhibit excellent organization, time management, accurate record-keeping, and attention to detail
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage competing tasks independently
• Handle complexity by integrating data from diverse sources and weighing risks, benefits, and trade‑offs
• Communicate effectively and collaborate across multiple teams and stakeholders
• Hold a valid driver’s license and be able to travel as required
• Are proficient with data management tools (data collection, uploading, processing) and Microsoft Office
• Speak English fluently (bilingual English/Spanish preferred)
• Are able to travel up 20%, domestically and internationally, and regularly travel during the day to Salinas, CA.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well‑being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well‑being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back‑up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

Pay transparency

BASF is committed to pay transparency practices. The competitive Pay Range for this role is $62,400 – $85,800. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.