Seed Production Research Lead

Ball-Horticultural-Company-

West Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

401k/Profit Sharing

Paid time off (vacation/holidays)

Tuition assistance

Onsite café and gardens

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Ball Horticultural Company, including PanAmerican Seed, is seeking an experienced Seed Production Research Lead to strategize and lead global programs for optimizing flower and vegetable seed production. You will manage a research team, oversee greenhouse, lab, and field trials, and translate findings into commercial solutions that drive efficiency and quality across our operations.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration across global teams, and ongoing innovation in seed production

Qualifications

Ph.D. preferred but not required; candidates with a master's degree are encouraged to apply.
Experience in seed production, horticulture, plant science, agricultural research, or related field.
Experience designing, managing, and executing greenhouse, laboratory, and field trials.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to translate data into business solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead global research initiatives to improve flower and vegetable seed production systems.
Design, prioritize, and oversee greenhouse, laboratory, and field trials with sound experimental design.
Analyze results and develop practical recommendations for data-driven decisions.
Communicate findings and updates to internal stakeholders and global teams.
Collaborate with Production, Breeding, Operations, and Commercial teams to align priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Global collaboration

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Seed production

Horticulture

IPM knowledge

Research design

Laboratory management

Education

Ph.D. preferred

M.S. in related field

Tools

Greenhouse control systems

Fertigation systems

Laboratory management software

Data analysis software

Job description

Description

PanAmerican Seed, a division of Ball Horticultural Company, is seeking an experienced and innovative Seed Production Research Lead to provide scientific and strategic leadership for global research initiatives focused on optimizing flower and vegetable seed production. As a leading breeder and producer of F1 hybrid and open-pollinated flower seed, PanAmerican Seed is committed to delivering high-quality genetics that create value throughout the supply chain—from grower to consumer.

In this role, you will lead global research programs that improve seed quality, production efficiency, and operational performance. You will design and execute research strategies, oversee laboratory and trial operations, and translate scientific findings into practical, commercially relevant solutions. Working closely with global Production, Breeding, Operations, and Commercial teams, you will help identify opportunities, drive innovation, and support continuous improvement across seed production systems.

In addition to technical leadership, you will manage and develop a research team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and scientific excellence.

Responsibilities and Duties

Lead global research initiatives focused on improving flower and vegetable seed production systems.

Design, prioritize, and oversee greenhouse, laboratory, and field research trials, ensuring sound experimental design, accurate data collection, and meaningful analysis.

Analyze research results and develop practical recommendations to support data-driven business decisions.

Communicate research findings and project updates effectively to internal stakeholders and global teams.

Collaborate with Production, Breeding, Operations, and Commercial teams to align research priorities with business objectives.

Identify emerging technologies, production opportunities, and innovative solutions to improve seed production processes.

Develop research proposals, technical reports, and recommendations that support continuous improvement initiatives.

Lead multiple research projects across global locations while managing timelines, priorities, and resources.

Provide leadership, coaching, and performance feedback to research team members, fostering professional development and technical growth.

Assign and prioritize work to ensure research objectives and operational goals are achieved.

Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including staffing, resource allocation, safety compliance, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

Foster a collaborative, accountable, and innovative team environment that encourages continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and advancements in seed production research.

Perform other duties as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.

Requirements

Ph.D. preferred but not required. Candidates with a master’s degree and demonstrated research, laboratory management, and leadership experience are encouraged to apply.

Proven experience in seed production, horticulture, plant science, agricultural research, or a related field.

Experience designing, managing, and executing greenhouse, laboratory, and field research trials.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret research data and translate findings into practical business solutions.

Demonstrated experience leading research projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams in a global environment.

Proven leadership experience, including setting priorities, delegating work, developing team members, and driving accountability.

Experience managing laboratory operations, including safety, regulatory compliance, quality standards, and research resources.

Experience with greenhouse environmental control systems, fertigation, integrated pest management (IPM), F1 crop pollination, and seed production practices is highly desirable.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.

Ability to work effectively across cultures and global locations.

Salary Range

$90k-$120k

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, and use hands/fingers for extended periods of time.

Ability to occasionally bend, kneel, reach, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Ability to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.

Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including heat and humidity.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10–15% of the time.

Our promise to you

Ball is a global leader in horticulture: we develop, produce, and sell plants around the world. Our vision is to color the world through our customers. We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes: