Director, Foundation Seed: Lead Production & Growth

Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Vernon (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks a dynamic director to lead the Foundation Seed program from Vernon, Texas. You will provide statewide leadership and oversee strategic, operational, fiscal, and personnel aspects of seed production, quality assurance, licensing, and market deployment.

You will work with faculty, innovation offices, seed producers, and partners to drive variety release, licensing, and sustainable program growth while ensuring compliance with policies and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, seed science, plant science, crop science, agricultural business, business administration, or a related field.
• Ten years of related experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in seed production, seed operations, agricultural operations, variety commercialization, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising personnel and managing budgets, business operations, programs, or organizational units.
• Working knowledge of seed production systems, seed quality management, certification standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, producers, industry partners, licensees, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, organizational, financial management, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any driver’s license required for assigned job duties.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the pesticide applicator license, categories, and endorsements required for assigned job duties.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed, including development and implementation of strategic and business plans.
• Oversee foundation seed production and related operations, including production planning, planting, field inspection and rogueing, harvesting, conditioning, storage, inventory management, and distribution.
• Ensure effective quality assurance and quality control, including testing seed lots for viability, vigor, genetic purity, seed health, and other applicable quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, seed certification standards, licensing requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable Texas A&M University System and AgriLife Research policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with AgriLife Research plant breeders and Texas A&M Innovation to support variety evaluation, release, intellectual property protection, licensing, commercialization, and deployment.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with seed producers, licensees, seed companies, commodity organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Lead market development, marketing, communications, and distribution strategies that expand the reach and impact of AgriLife-developed varieties and support sustainable program growth.
• Manage the unit’s financial operations, including budget development and oversight, revenue generation, cost recovery, cost containment, financial forecasting, and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the program’s business model, revenue, expand partnerships, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining service to public plant breeding programs.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate Foundation Seed personnel and foster a culture of safety, accountability, service, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Oversee facilities, land, equipment, information systems, and capital improvement needs associated with seed production, processing, storage, and distribution.
• Coordinate with AgriLife Research leadership and the Vernon Center Director on shared facilities, personnel, resources, safety, and other site-based administrative matters.
• Represent Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed in institutional meetings, professional organizations, industry events, producer meetings, outreach activities, and stakeholder engagements.
• Perform other duties necessary to advance the mission and effectiveness of Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Seed production knowledge

Agricultural operations

Project management

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks a dynamic director to lead the Foundation Seed program from Vernon, Texas. You will provide statewide leadership and oversee strategic, operational, fiscal, and personnel aspects of seed production, quality assurance, licensing, and market deployment.

You will work with faculty, innovation offices, seed producers, and partners to drive variety release, licensing, and sustainable program growth while ensuring compliance with policies and safety standards.