Ball FloraPlant is a leading brand of vegetatively propagated plant varieties that has won critical acclaim for its ability to produce clean, healthy cuttings. Its dynamic breeding program has produced the award-winning Black Velvet Petunia, and popular introductions like Presto Geraniums and Voltage Yellow Ostepspermum.

We are looking for a talented Product Development Associate for our Arroyo Grande, CA location to support our Selecta product development as well as provide R & D support to the Ball FloraPlant management team.

Duties will include working directly with Selecta Product Manager, Partner Genetics Manager and Trials Coordinator within the Ball FloraPlant Research and Development Team to provide on-going communication and support for Selecta product development and marketing, BFP database management, 3rd party genetics support as well as other responsibilities as required by BFP management.

Selecta Support: 60%

• Manage product launch checklist; • Work closely with Selecta Product Manager to ensure support for Selecta product development;
• Build and maintain SAP database of trial material to source for North American trials;
• Responsible for coordinating with Selecta to ensure materials are sent to various trialing locations (example: sample program, marketing events, targeted advanced trials, confidential trials, internal advancement trials, etc.) including planning, sourcing, execution and follow-up;
• Maintain Global Product List updates as product assortment changes are made and communicate appropriately; work with BFP personnel to ensure programs are accurate in SAP;
• Main point of contact for Selecta communication to and from Ball FloraPlant staff which includes marketing questions, new variety data sheets, catalog review, photography, questions on assortment status, etc.
• This role will also work with Ball FloraPlant R&D on culture research coordination;
• Support Selecta program at various marketing events: Season Premier, Week 8, CAST, Walmart, Cultivate; Ball FloraPlant

R&D Support: 40%

• Database management and implementation; maintain and supervise proper software functionality throughout the team.
• Ball FloraPlant and Partner genetics assortment support; read trials, register results and generate reports from trials (e.g.: pictures, database input, etc.).
• Organization of production trials from all crops at the production facilities in Central America, in coordination with farms, sales, logistics and Product Launch and Assortment Manager.
• Coordination, trials and reports of the mix combo’s assortment from Ball FloraPlant and Selecta assortment, working directly with the product designer.

Requirements:

List of skills, knowledge and abilities (competencies) required/critical to the performance of this position

1. Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field or equivalent experience in a greenhouse, production or related environment;
2. Proven computer skills including demonstrated proficiency with:
   a. Microsoft Office products: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access.
   b. Ability to maintain, manage and analyze data from multiple sources
3. Knowledge of SAP and managing content management systems will be strongly considered. Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle tasks with a high degree of accuracy.
4. Ability to focus as a team, not only as an individual, and communicate within all levels within the organization with strong documentation and follow-up skills.
5. Comfortable in a working environment with competing priorities and multiple directions.
6. Experience in ornamental plants and an intermediate knowledge of Spanish is a plus.
7. Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Scope of Responsibility

• Travel: This position has limited travel requirements, approximately 15-20% of time in support of key events.
• Staff: This position does not have anyone reporting to it.
• Budget: This position is not directly responsible for managing a budget.

Interested candidates should submit a resume with salary requirements to:

Ball Horticultural Company
622 Town Road
West Chicago, IL 60185

send to: slaubenthal@ballhort.com.

Please visit our website at www.ballhort.com