Role Purpose

The Production Manager is responsible for managing the production of seed to meet the needs of the company’s customers. This involves coordinating the annual production and providing a stable supply of seed to meet the future anticipated demands.

Typical Work Activities

• Coordinate production planning with sales, finance, research and product management
• Review production schedules and allocate team members to complete schedules
• Lead recruitment and training of temporary and permanent employees
• Direct and manage third party production
• Organize and lead grower meetings and oversee grower agreements
• Direct and manage safety programs, plant activities, warehousing, employee training, quality systems, and seed stock inventory programs

Educational Requirements

• BA in agriculture or related field
• Management courses or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong technical knowledge in general agronomy and seed production.
• Problem solving ability (team and individual)
• Working knowledge of budgets and financial statements
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong motivational skills.
• Ability to accept and support change.
• Broad knowledge of safety and environmental systems and procedures.

Role Purpose

This position will conduct agronomic studies to increase production efficiency - an important component of cost of goods. The Production Research Agronomist takes a lead role in the identification, design, preparation, planting, maintenance, harvest, and analysis of production research studies.

Typical Work Activities

• Develop and maintain two-way communications with various department customers in seed division which include Supply Chain, Product Development, Supply Planning, Parent Seed and Quality Assurance.
• Planning of of research topics and design studies that will help department customer.
• Identifying and prioritizing study topics, determining seed and other agricultural product entry lists, designing studies, and making all necessary pre-planting preparations to conduct studies.
• Analyze data and prepare research reports and presentations.
• Present research and general agronomic information to department customers.
• Attend Company sanctioned and/or outside source agronomic events

Educational Requirements

• MS in Agronomy or related field strongly preferred; formal research training required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A basic understanding of seed production and of pest management, crop physiology, and plant growth and development.
• At least 3 years field research experience
• Ability to conduct and interpret statistical analysis of data.

Role Purpose

Based on forecasted demand for seed products, analyses, plans and produces sufficient parental seed stocks to meet this demand

Typical Work Activities

• Ensure quantities and quality of seed stock inventory
• Calculate future requirements of each parent in the (SS) inventory based on sales forecasts.
• Plan the Parent SS increases for the next production season.
• Inform the breeder the amounts of Foundation Stockseed(FS) that will be needed according to the SS increase plan.
• Coordinate the distribution of Parent SS and FS seed to the producer. Lot selection and quantities.
• Send producers descriptions of each parent, and any special conditions helpful to the production of the crop.
• Make timely visits to SS producers to confirm the FS used will produce the correct variety, and uniform SS.
• Supervise the Planting, Growing, Rouging and Harvest of all SS produced
• Update Parent description file. Include notes and photos which will help producers.
• Coordinate the quality testing of incoming Commercial and Stockseed production.
• Read and distribute purity results.

Educational Requirements

• Four year college degree in an agriculture related field.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Two or more years of seed production experience.
• Planning and Organizational skills
• Communication skills - both verbal and written

Role Purpose

The conditioning supervisor is responsible for cleaning, processing, treating and packaging the seed to ensure the highest levels of purity and performance of seed delivered to the customer

Typical Work Activities

• Schedule and supervise tower and bagging personnel
• Schedule bagging, re-bagging and maintenance operations
• Insure proper procedures are followed and quality maintained
• Manage chemical and bagging supplies for continuous operations
• Responsible for keeping tower organized and secure
• Maintain records and turn in accurate timely reports
• Insure all packaging and chemical application is correct as requested in work orders
• Insure samples are properly taken and visually checked for a quality appearance
• Compare pricing and order repair parts
• Supervise contractor / construction work that may be performed in assigned area
• Insure packaging is visually acceptable and within company guidelines
• Follow all safety procedures and maintain housekeeping of plant

Educational Requirements

• Diploma in agribusiness or related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in plant operations
• People management skills
• Organization and attention to detail
• Ability to work long hours in plant during peak periods

Role Purpose

Direct and manage all plant operations with overall responsibilities for production, maintenance, quality and other production-related activities.

Typical Work Activities

• Direct and manage plant operations for production, maintenance, quality and shipping and receiving.
• Oversee crew activities which includes: sewing bags, stacking bags, loading out trucks, driving forklifts, conditioning of seed, sampling seed, maintenance of milling and warehouse equipment.
• Develops budget and manages within budgeted guidelines.
• Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards. Ensures product quality meets established quality standards.
• Works toward continuous improvement in seed recovery and productivity
• Interface with growers concerning cleaning of seed.
• Hires new staff.
• Control and minimize labor overtime, and repair expenses.
• Manages and maintains existing plant facilities and equipment in appropriate working condition to meet business needs.
• Implements and maintains preventative maintenance programs.
• Perform all duties in accordance with safety rules and regulations

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related field or five years plant/general management experience in a seed conditioning environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong technical knowledge in seed conditioning methods.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Proven supervisory experience.
• Broad knowledge of safety and environmental systems and procedures.
• Results oriented.
• Ability to interface with growers, staff and other funtional areas of the community.
• Problem solving ability (team and individual).
• Ability to accept and support change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate people toward a goal.
• Working knowledge of budgets and financials statements.

Role Purpose

Lead the use of molecular biology techniques to ensure product integrity and quality of all products

Typical Work Activities

• DNA extractions from plant tissue (manual extractions as well as using robotics),
• Analysis by PCR (conventional as well as real-time PCR) and data interpretation, sequence analysis, plasmid purification and Restriction Digest Analysis
• Trouble shooting, preparation of raw and analyzed results (reports) for delivery to clients
• Work with IT to improve the quality of the existing tool and implement new tools 
  maintaining and updating laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) for performed tasks.

Educational Requirements

• BS degree in Molecular Biology or related field with 7 years molecular biology experience, or MS degree in Molecular Biology 

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Demonstrated skill in DNA cloning, sequencing, PCR and sequence data analysis to be able to independently plan and execute related tasks
• Demonstrated skill in Quality Control or a GMP/GLP or ISO practices such as: work management,detail and accuracy, record keeping (electronic and hard copy)
• Strong customer focus orientation

Role Purpose

Directs and manages all lab operations with overall responsibility for seed analysis (purity and germination) in accordance with A.O.S.A. standards.

Typical Work Activities

• Performs advanced tests for purity and germination potential on prepared seed samples to determine seed viability
• Determines seed sample purity based on pure seed, other crop, inert matter, weed seed, noxious weed seed and prohibited weed seed content
• Determines seed sample germination potential through the use of proper substrate, temperature, moisture and the subsequent evaluation of seedlings
• Supervise and train Lab Technician(s) in proper A.O.S.A. procedures and techniques for preparing and testing seed samples
• Issues official certification statement attesting the sample matches the claims stated on the product label; notifies Operations Manager of those samples which fail analysis.
• Maintains quality standards in lab
• Interpret and document test results. Oversees entry of test data results into the laboratory computer
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment

Educational Requirements

• A.O.S.A. Certified Seed Analyst
• Bachelor’s degree

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Strong knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and policies and AOSA standards relating to the regulations of the seed industry and the preparation and analysis of seed samples.
• Broad knowledge of the principles and techniques used in the production of seeds.
• Proven supervisory experience
• Results oriented

Role Purpose

Provide quality assurance, testing and inspection for the seed products in accordance with local and federal laws and regulations and under the guidance of the Seed Lab Manager

Typical Work Activities

• Performing physical purities in accordance with A.O.S.A standards on a wide range of crops (40%)
• Performing germinations in accordance with A.O.S.A standards on a wide range of crops (40%)
• Data entry and maintain of computer records of laboratory results (10%)
• Sampling handling and monitoring (5%)
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment (5%)

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Organized and self motivated with time management skills
• Detail oriented
• Registered Seed Technologist Certification or working towards the certification.
• Working knowledge of Word and Excel.