Our Company

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Hollister, California, United Genetics Seeds Co. has been developing and producing quality vegetable seeds for the global commercial market for over 25 years. A subsidiary of the Japanese Kagome Group, UG Scientist use traditional methods to the following species: tomato, pepper, cantaloupe/melon, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, and squash. Not involved in any transgenic activity.

Summary:

Under the direction of the Research and Development Team, breed and develop innovative and competitive seeded and seedless watermelon hybrids for priority segments and markets globally. The primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain a well-organized breeding program that provide continuous pipeline of hybrid watermelon products.
• Undertake evaluation and analysis of product performance within the breeding stations and screening sites.
• Maintain breeder seed of parent lines with maximum genetic purity, seed quality, and maintain adequate inventory.
• Communicate and discuss various breeding strategies with other breeders to achieve breeding goals in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Make breeding crosses to incorporate multiple key traits and novel traits (e.g. disease resistance, fruit quality, high productivity) into existing germplasm. Analyze competitor’s varieties. Run disease screens and molecular markers to select desirable plants. Make selections in the field for other desirable but more complex traits.
• Plan and execute crossing blocks to make new hybrids with the combinations of disease resistance, fruit and plant characteristics required for the target market. Run markers, disease screens or visual assessment on the potential crossing block parents to confirm and fix disease traits. Set up crossing blocks to maximize efficient use of greenhouse space and pollinating crew time.
• Evaluate F1 Hybrids, placing trials locally and/or internationally. Travel to the locations of the trials for evaluation.
• Maintain Foundation and Parent seed, and provide assistance for Foundation Seed Increases.
• Interact with major customers, product development and sales personnel to evaluate and identify new commercial hybrids.
• Stay current on new and emerging breeding technologies, evaluate their relevance, and incorporate them into the breeding program if practical and feasible.
• Perform other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications:

• BS degree or higher in plant breeding or related field
• Experience in breeding program management.
• Demonstrated experience in independently managing a commercial breeding program
• Must be proficient in English

Skills and Abilities:

• Interpersonal: Providing information to department managers, supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them at all times. Motivating, developing, and directing employees, and identifying the best people for the job. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Managing personal time and the time of others. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.
• Communication: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand and to speak clearly so others can understand you. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and it does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Technical and Analytical: Knowledge of: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel amd Microsoft Outlook. Analytical mind to recognize and understand available genotyping and phenotyping technology to use in development of new products. Requires great attention to detail. Analytical mind to examine problems and find the best solutions. Be able to develop detailed project schedules and foresee potential problems and solutions.
• Administrative and Operations: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and production methods. Ability to work in stressful environment and meet deadlines.
• Physical Demands: Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations and working long hours. Must be able to work in the office and fields/greenhouses under extreme weather conditions, be physically fit to walk, bend, kneel, squat, bend your neck, and lift up to 50 lbs. Be willing to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Work Environment: Office, outdoor and greenhouse work with temperatures close to 100 degrees, walk on uneven surface and possible exposure to potentially harmful Chemicals • Special Equipment Used: Using computers and computer systems (software) to set up functions, enter data, track or process information.

Applications: 

Please submit Cover letter and Resume to 
recruitment@unitedgenetics-usa.com 

United Genetics Seeds Co. is an "at will" employer.

This Organization participates in E-Verify Equal Opportunity Employer. Drug Free Workplace