Breeding Technician Hybrid Wheat USA

Kws Saat Ag; Moorhead (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan with 401(k)

Flexible PTO

Training & development opportunities

Diverse international team

Job summary

KWS Seeds LLC is seeking a permanent full-time Breeding Technician for Spring Wheat in Moorhead, MN. You will support yield trials, screening nurseries, and related breeding activities, coordinating with breeders and the station team to ensure high-quality data collection and timely delivery of seeds and materials.

The role requires a basic to strong interest in breeding and agronomy, good communication skills, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; interest in breeding, agronomy, genetics, or related fields.
• Basic computer skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Support breeders and station manager to execute wheat yield trials and screening nurseries.
• Collect data in maintenance nursery and assist breeders with PVP documents.
• Plan and execute breeding activities with station team; assist with crosses and greenhouse work.
• Train seasonal staff and interns; supervise activities to turnaround seeds between harvest and sowing.
• Create field plans, field books, and record data with technical equipment and software.
• Coordinate shipment of breeding materials to partners domestically and internationally; manage supplies within budget.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Verbal and written communication

Valid driver’s license

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Breeding or related field

Tools

Forklift license

Job description

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KWS Seeds LLC is looking for a permanent full-time Breeding Technician Spring Wheat in Moorhead, MN!

The Breeding Technician actively assists and works independently to organize the daily wheat breeding operations. This position is responsible for accurately and efficiently providing competent support for yield trial, maintenance and early generation wheat breeding activities. We are seeking to recruit at the earliest opportunity a Breeding Technician Spring Wheat on a permanent, full-time basis in Moorhead, MN, USA.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support the Breeders and Station Manager to execute and evaluate wheat yield trials and screening nurseries at all locations
• Responsible for data collection in the Maintenance Nursery and assisting the Breeders in completing PVP documents
• Work closely and cohesively with the station team members to plan and execute the breeding activities
• Assist breeders to perform crosses and manage the greenhouse independently in absence of the breeder
• Train and work with seasonal staff, and summer interns
• Coordinate and technically supervise activities to turn-around seeds between harvest and sowing
• Create field-plans and generate field-books and record data using technical equipment and specialty software
• Facilitate shipment of breeding materials, by complying with requirements, to partners and collaborators within and outside USA
• Maintain sufficient stock of breeding supplies and materials
• Provide technical expertise to handle breeding machinery
• Ensure purchasing is kept within budget, and authority levels are not exceeded
• Regular travel and/or drive and/or operate a forklift on behalf of the business
• Meet attendance requirements
• Ensure the Company Handbook, Rules, Guidelines and Procedures, and safety policies are followed and personal protective equipment is used correctly
• Other duties and/ or work in other crops handled at the station as assigned by the supervisor

Required Qualifications:

• Highschool degree and interest in Breeding, Agronomy, Genetics, and related fields
• Basic computer skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ degree in Breeding, Agronomy, Genetics, Horticulture, or related field; or comparable work experience in crop improvement and variety development
• Forklift license, or ability to obtain one
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proven skills demonstrating critical, logical and innovative thinking
• Willingness to travel to other breeding stations, learn breeding workflow and activities
• High learning attitude and growth mindset

What We Offer:

• A salary between $3,360 to $4,160. 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 and 401(k) with employer match
• Flexible paid-time-o, (PTO)
• Professional training and development opportunities
• An international and diverse team

Working environment

• Must wear required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as needed
• Able to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs. using safe lifting strategies
• Able to work indoors/outdoors in varied environmental conditions (loud, hot, cold, dusty, damp, etc.)
• Flexibility to work rotating shifts as needed (including weekends, night shifts, and holidays)
• Driving vehicles for extended periods of time

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. The employee must 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.

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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.