Sr. Soy Seeds Foundation Program Manager

SeedQuest; Champaign (IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Sr. Soy Seeds Foundation Program Manager, where you'll lead the U.S. soybean foundation seeds program. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance soybean varieties and manage production facilities. You'll be at the forefront of innovation, ensuring the supply of high-quality seeds while optimizing processes and strategies. With a commitment to sustainability and employee well-being, this position offers a unique opportunity to impact agricultural solutions positively. If you're passionate about seed science and have a knack for leadership, this is the perfect role for you.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Retirement savings plan with company match

Mental health support programs

Family forming benefits

Back-up child and elder care

Mentoring and career development opportunities

Employee crisis support

Employee discounts

Access to wine cellar

Qualifications

• 15+ years managing a foundation seed program or similar responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of soybean breeding and quality standards.
• Excellent skills in contract negotiations and project management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the U.S. soybean foundation seeds program and collaborate with various teams.
• Oversee third-party foundation seed partners and production facilities.
• Develop strategies for reliable supply and quality of foundation seeds.

Skills

Contract Negotiation

Seed Quality Management

Project Management

Agronomy Knowledge

Supervisory Skills

Spanish Proficiency

Education

BA/BS in Agronomy

MS or MBA in related fields

Job description

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

Sr. Soy Seeds Foundation Program Manager

Location: Champaign, Illinois. Also open to a remote option in Iowa or Illinois within proximity to Champaign, IL.

Job ID:120366

We are looking for a Sr. Soy Seeds Foundation Program Managerto join our Agricultural Solutions team preferably based in Champaign, IL. Also open to a remote option in Iowa or Illinois within proximity to Champaign, IL.

Come create chemistry with us!

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.

As a Senior Soy Seeds Foundation Program Manager, you will manage the U.S. soybean foundation seeds program, collaborating with plant breeding, sales, marketing, and agronomic services to enhance soybean varieties and increase parent seed stocks for commercial sales.

You will oversee third-party foundation seed partners in the U.S. and BASF’s counter-season partner in South America, as well as manage the new Soybean Foundation Seed production facility in Champaign, IL.

This role requires optimizing production processes with commercial soybean managers to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality seed, particularly for new genetics and regulated traits in BASF’s pipeline.

As a Sr. Soy Seeds Foundation Program Manager, you create chemistry by...

• Overseeing the soy foundation seed multiplication program for all commercial, licensed, and experimental soybean varieties produced in the U.S. and managing counter-season activities in Argentina, Chile, and Puerto Rico.
• Collaborating and assisting with the development of contract strategies, writing legal agreements, networking with legal, & leading contract negotiations with suppliers, and authorizing and approving all payments as it relates to soy foundation activities. Managing our foundation seed increases and varietal purification program for all in-licensed seed lines acquired from our genetics providers, and internally advanced lines from our BASF breeding programs.
• Ensuring BASF’s seed quality, trait and varietal purity, and stewardship requirements are met and effectively communicated by our domestic and international foundation seed partners and the Champaign, IL facility.
• Managing the foundation seed increases and varietal purification program for in-licensed seed lines and internally advanced lines from BASF breeding programs.
• Developing strategies to ensure adequate capacity in the foundation seeds network for reliable supply of high-quality breeder/foundation seed including production and processing capabilities.
• Utilizing short- and long-term sales forecasts to develop a volume strategy for targeted quantities of foundation/breeder seed of soybean genotypes and trait platforms that meet quality and purity specifications.
• Producing soybean experimental candidates in South America to accelerate market introductions/launches, collaborating with legal and stewardship, international export logistics experts, etc. to ensure smooth flow of products to and from these countries. Participating as part of the US soybean portfolio management team to provide input to varietal selection and advancements as it relates to producibility.
• Providing oversight and direction to the Champaign site leader and team, including all field and plant activities conducted by full-time and contract employees at the Champaign, IL plant site.
• Being responsible for the OPEX CCEN budget development for the Soy Foundation Seeds Program, Argentina counter season program, and the Champaign IL foundation seed plant. Responsible for CAPEX planning as it relates to the foundation seed capacity and capability. Accountable for providing input into financial & business planning processes, including managing expenditures for OPEX, CAPEX spend, capacity planning, headcount projections, succession planning, and employee development as it relates to foundation seed production.

If you...

• Have a BA/BS in agronomy, seed science, plant science, agricultural economics, supply chain, or a related discipline (MS or MBA preferred).
• Hold 15+ years managing a foundation seed program, or in commercial seed production, or working within a soybean breeding program, and/or or similar responsibilities in other crops (International experience a plus).
• Have advanced knowledge ofsoybean breeding, traits, and quality standards and Quality Managementsystems
• Have strong supervisory and coaching experience.
• Demonstrate excellent skills in contract negotiations.
• Have experience in promoting and implementing, and sustaining a safe working environment for the overall foundation seeds program.
• Exhibit proficiency in Spanish (preferred).
• Ability to travel up to 30%, internationally and domestically.

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 callyou@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!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Application

Please click HERE to learn more and to apply online.

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact [e-mail] to report fraud.

Pay transparency

BASF is committed to pay transparency practices. The competitive Pay Range for this role is $130,400 - $179,300. 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.

More positions from: BASF Agricultural Solutions

Posted from April 18, 2025 until October 18, 2025
SeedQuest reference number: 162367

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

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