Purpose of the Job:

The Ball FloraPlant plant breeder will develop new and improved vegetatively propagated ornamental annual varieties by implementing various plant breeding techniques and employing advanced technologies when appropriate. The plant breeder will trial and present product advancement recommendation as well as new product concepts to the Plant Breeding Director, Product Management and Sales & Marketing teams. 

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Independently lead and execute large, high value breeding programs defined by Breeding Director, Product Management and Sales, to align and deliver upon company’s strategic portfolio goals. 
• Effectively coordinate breeding project execution with Breeding Director, Facility Manager, Head Grower, and Stock Manager for efficiency and adherence to timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Work closely with Ball Helix teams of plant pathology, tissue culture & cell biology and molecular genetics to access and coordinate support for breeding programs utilizing advanced plant breeding techniques, tools, and services.
• Plan, organize and oversee breeding trials at various global locations as needed to thoroughly vet material for commercial introduction.
• Analyze feedback from trials and marketplace and with input from Breeding Director, Product Management and Sales to reinforce alignment with customer needs and market direction.
• Recommend new and/or improved varieties as well as recommend changes to breeding direction or new product specifications as part of continuous improvement and program evolution.
• Contribute to and enhance a culture of collaboration, communication, and teamwork to ensure a supportive and interconnected team environment.
• Implement and monitor compliance of company policies on safety, health, sustainability, and environment. As part of Ball Horticultural Co.’s commitment to building better workplace communities.
• Other Responsibilities include Some Supervision of Greenhouse techs, test production initiation and results analysis, and product support for internal and external customers.    

Competencies required:

• Customer Focus
• Cultivates Innovation
• Action Oriented 
• Communicates Effectively- 
• Being Resilient 

Requirements

•  Ph.D Preferred Minimum of M.S. In Plant Breeding or agricultural science with a emphasis on genetics.  
• 5 years in plant breeding or related research and development preferred with experience in classical plant breeding methodologies and knowledge of advanced plant breeding tools and techniques.
• Experience in classical plant breeding methodologies (Self and Cross pollination strategies, ploidy manipulation, mutagenesis, tissue culture and embryo rescue).
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern plant breeding techniques (Marker assisted selection, genome editing, plant pathology) to be supported by collaboration with our Ball Helix R&D team. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.  Database management experience is preferred.
• Effective written and oral communications to include public speaking (Ability to speak Spanish is an asset).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Must be detail oriented and organized as well as demonstrated creativity in product development.
• Ability to take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Proven ability to develop and build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Ability to travel domestic and internationally (20-30%)  

 Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work in a greenhouse setting with various temperature conditions. Must possess the ability to walk and maneuver through the greenhouse and in between benches and stand for long periods of time.

Scope of Responsibility:

Staff: This position will take reports of Breeder Technicians as deemed necessary.

Budgets: This position does not have responsibility for establishing budgets but must act in-line with budget requirements as set by Ball FloraPlant Director of Research & Development.

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: 

•  Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
•  401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
•  Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
•  Tuition assistance
•  Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs

Salary Range:  $85,000-$100,000

Application

Interested applicants should apply:  careers@ballhort.com."