Senior Breeding Specialist: Varietal Development Lead

SeedQuest; Acampo (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive retirement plan

Well-being programs

Family forming benefits

Back-up child and elder care

Mentoring and career development

Matching gifts program

Employee discounts

Job summary

BASF Agricultural Solutions in Acampo, CA, is seeking a Senior Specialist Breeding to lead breeding program direction and accelerate development of new varieties. You will design contemporary breeding processes, manage stock seed production, and coordinate teams to meet budgets and schedules.

You will partner with breeders, handle short- to mid-term absences, and translate market needs into actionable breeding objectives while ensuring high-quality stock seed production.

Qualifications

• Hold a BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, or closely related field.
• Masters degree preferred.
• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Practical knowledge of horticultural practices, genetics, and plant-breeding methods.
• Can operate specialized breeding and research equipment.
• Comfortable with management information systems, databases and spreadsheets.
• Fluent English; bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Collaborative team player with strong organizational and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Breeder to set the direction for the breeding program.
• Design and execute processes for continuous variety creation and development.
• Accelerate time-to-market while working within program budget.
• Provide coverage for the Breeder during short- to medium-term absences (up to one year).
• Ensure production of sufficient, high-quality stock seed of parental lines and varieties.
• Maintain breeding administration and implement ICT improvements to support operations.
• Coordinate technical assistants and crop technicians to meet standards and schedules.
• Monitor market demands and translate them into breeding objectives.

Skills

English communication

Team player

Analytical thinking

Planning skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, or related

Masters degree preferred

Job description

BASF Agricultural Solutions in Acampo, CA, is seeking a Senior Specialist Breeding to lead breeding program direction and accelerate development of new varieties. You will design contemporary breeding processes, manage stock seed production, and coordinate teams to meet budgets and schedules.

You will partner with breeders, handle short- to mid-term absences, and translate market needs into actionable breeding objectives while ensuring high-quality stock seed production.