Job Description

The primary purpose of this role is to manage and lead the research and development the melon breeding programs at the Vegetable Platform, with direct management of the assistant technician

Accountabilities:

• Coordinate melon breeding program, creating new melon varieties.
• Designing, implanting, and executing field and greenhouse planting.
• Data collection, pollinations, harvesting, and seed cataloguing in/out. Perform all tasks in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required training courses
• Communicate effectively and regularly with product development and the Hollar Seeds president regarding status of projects and work activities, raise awareness of issues that could affect meeting project objectives and business goals
• Develop awareness of market needs for commercial products for global markets. Continuous learning to understand changing market needs. Interaction with Sales/Commercial team to understand the nature of any product performance anomalies. Provide information to these groups to assist them with their decision-making processes
• Develop expertise in crop biology, germplasm and critical trait priorities
• Contribute to crop strategy and product profiles development in relation with market segment teams.
• Develop and deploy new breeding technologies and methods. Implement data driven decision in every part of the breeding program
• Using analytic and data science tools, predictive models for product selection and genomic selection
• Prepare varieties market introduction by using imputation and environment modelling to support best growing practices.
• Prepare nurseries and yield trial experiments: Design current and future resource plans with key stake holders. Responsible of nurseries and yield trial execution
• Provide meaningful input on hybrid advancement decisions. Work with market segment teams to ensure appropriate selection criteria and target product profiles (TPP) are being applied.
• Responsible for a quantitative assessment of pipeline performance in alignment with market needs: Generate reports/tables/charts to highlight to other functions and management how product performance is measured over time or in comparison to check hybrids in a current growing season. Determine rates of genetic gain for different product pipelines in Market segments through mining of phenotypic data.
• Collaborate with Trait Development Leads and Genetic scientists to identify and develop marker-trait associations, innovative traits, germplasm management: Participate actively to discovery projects.
• Collect or ensure that field notes on agronomic traits on inbred and hybrid materials including pathology traits are taken.
• Performing all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety related company policies and practices, including completing all required Company training courses and attending local safety meetings.

Qualifications

Required skills:

• PHD with 2 years of experience in plant breeding preferred in either a commercial or academic setting.
• In-depth knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, statistics and field design, plant biology, pathology/botany and marker breeding techniques including genome wide selection (GWS), population genetics, quantitative genetics.
• Project management in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Office and corporate software.
• Ability to effectively organize, manage and assign workload of multiple tasks in order to meet project goals and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-today supervision. Adjust workload plans and resource allocations based on new direction in a changing environment.
• Ability to manage resources to achieve objectives but remain within budget
• Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Ability to Travel 30% domestic, 10% international.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Ability to adapt to changing environmental/situational needs.
• Work across diverse teams.
• Ability to make timely, effective decisions.
• Ability to remain flexible and responsive when faced with multiple urgent requests.

Critical technical, professional & personal capabilities

• Ability to plan and set direction.
• Competent in training personnel on new technology
• Ability to drive process improvement and foster a culture based on Lean Six Sigma principles.
• Excellent influencing skills

Physical demands of the Essential Functions

• Ability to work 7 days a week during critical times of year.
• Ability to work in occasional dusty, hot, and cold conditions.

Additional Information

Salary for this role is $97,000 - $145,000 per year.

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.
Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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