Senior Plant Breeder

JOB SUMMARY:  Responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating research and development activities of Melon. Direction of assigned program is determined and implemented by the Sr. plant breeder. Basic purpose is to develop or encourage the development of state-of-the-art proprietary products for Sakata Seed America. The role will be responsible for managing melon-breeding related projects using available resources to ensure on-time completion of such projects within budgeted costs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*: 

• Develop, maintain, and improve LSL, Western Shipper and ESL Melon varieties for domestic and international markets. Focus on Sakata Seed America markets in US, Mexico, and Central America. USA and Mexico will be the primary markets. Some travel outside of Sakata America territory will also be expected.
• Coordinate and place trials in major market areas and travel to these areas for evaluation of entries. Significant travel time is required to get the results desired. The responsibility is to travel domestically and internationally 35% of the time.
• Advance hybrids via Sakata’s PLC system.  Write descriptions of varieties for advancement.  Fulfill requirements for variety advancement through documentation of performance, documentation of resistance, and completion of required breeder’s seed.
• Provide summarized results of trials to supervisor as requested.
• On assigned species, assist in preparing market analysis and product profiles for product introduction and customer support. Work with Sales Department and/or Product Manager in designing and evaluating trials of advancing experimental varieties.
• Planning crossing blocks and field trials, managing field selection and evaluation of assigned species.
• Design breeding strategies and maintain breeding lines, including the collection and incorporation of new germplasm. Screen and select horticulturally superior and disease resistant material from breeding nurseries, laboratory and field screens.
• Provide Production department with required amount of Breeder’s seed of parent lines of advancing hybrids along with Inbred (parent) Line Descriptions. Coordinate plant selection for production of quality stock seed. Produce adequate quantities of disease-free basic seed.
• Work with plant pathology to identify and implement reliable assays and create products with competitive disease resistance. Pursue resistance to new pathogens that threaten the industry.
• Work with Biotechnology in establishing high a throughput marker assisted breeding program. Facilitate the development of new markers by preparing the appropriate segregating populations that can enable the association of genotype and phenotype.
• Attend selected professional conferences and seminars and maintain networks with the scientific community to stay at the technological forefront in assigned species.
• Develop and maintain current and accurate records of breeding program in Sakata’s breeding information system.
• Assist other breeding programs when necessary and/or assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop and maintain current and accurate records of breeding program.
• Supervisory responsibilities for regular and temporary personnel within assigned project.
• Interact and participate in project related efforts with Pathology, Biotechnology, Sales, and Production.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

• The developed ability to select for superior and competitive horticultural type. Must have some knowledge of all aspects of both seed production and commercial crop production. The ability to develop and implement a vegetable breeding program.
• The ability to organize and plan effectively and to communicate effectively with personnel within the company, the public, growers, and dealers. The ability to disseminate information either verbally or through written reports.
• The ability to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology relating to breeding or pathology of assigned species. The ability to lead and to motivate assistants, technicians, and part-time labor in assigned species to achieve objectives.
• The ability to manage resources while implementing a plan and staying on budget.
• Experience with relational databases and the management of a breeding program in this structure.
• Ability to handle stress, especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
• Must be able to work under strict time constraints and requirements.
• Strong character traits required including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, and honesty.
• Experience with breeding Cucurbit crops (particularly Melons) is highly desirable.
• Working proficiency in spoken and written Spanish; or willingness to learn in the 1st year on the job.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Formal education requirement is a Ph.D. degree in plant breeding/genetics or related area. An equivalent higher professional degree can be used as requirement as long as the applicant has a record of success and performs an outstanding job.

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND: 

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in commercial plant breeding required.
• Proven record of having released commercial varieties. A portfolio of such successful commercial varieties needs to be presented for reference.

LICENSES/DEGREES/TRAINING:

• Must maintain a valid California State Driver’s License.
• Must have or be willing to obtain a Private Applicator Certificate through California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

• Must be willing to travel extensively. Traveling to Melon markets areas about 30% – 35% of the time.
• Must be able to work with chemicals and possible irritating substances.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment when necessary and/or required (backbrace, sunscreen, hat).
• Must be able to work under different weather conditions such as extremes of temperature (heat and cold) dampness, rain and sun exposure.
• Must be able to work in dusty conditions.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work long and irregular hours.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work with potential allergens, like pollen and dust.
• Must be able to bend frequently several times in one work day and as needed when plants are small (Greenhouse, Cages, Open Field). Bending is also needed for field marking, for transplanting, harvest and many other activities related to the job.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Salary: $130,000 – $160,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.