Associate Breeding Project Lead

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Hopsteiner is seeking a dynamic, hands-on Associate Breeding Project Lead for our Hop Breeding Team in Yakima Valley, Washington. This role is a unique blend of scientific support and field operations, ideal for a candidate who bridges the gap between strategic data collection and practical execution. You will be instrumental in supporting the breeding plan from initial planning and data collection to hands-on involvement in planting, crop maintenance, and harvesting.

The successful team member will collaborate with the Project Team to execute trials, manage data, and actively participate in all aspects of plant improvement and variety development, ensuring the success of our research and production activities.

Field & Crop Operations:

• Support and actively participate in all hands-on field operations, including planting, plot maintenance, pest management, pollination, and harvesting, according to established protocols.
• Operate research-scale farm equipment, including tractors, planters, ATVs, and sprayers.
• Secure the crop process year-round: planning, pollen collection, creating planting and harvest lists, germplasm tracking, and implementing plant health measures.
• Support post-harvest activities, including drying, conditioning, and processing of research plant materials.

Greenhouse Operations:

• Lead yearly seed processing and germination activities for all breeding crosses.
• Support and actively participate in all propagation activities of research and breeding material.
• Assist in the planning and execution of yearly disease screenings.

Trial and Data Management:

• Organize and execute large-scale trial data collection, management, storage, and data curation to support data-driven decisions.
• Manage biological entities, plant inventory, and technical data within R&D information systems.
• Establish phenotyping needs and activities to secure comprehensive trial data.
• Provide clear technical data and regular progress reports to Project Leads.

Breeding and Technical Support:

• Organize logistics for marker-assisted selection, including sampling, labeling, phenotyping, and sensory analysis.
• Implement new and apply supporting technologies within the breeding program.
• Secure plant logistics and material transfers according to internal rules and in collaboration with operations teams.
• Provide support for a variety of advancements, proactively identifying and escalating problems that require Project Lead attention.
• Support and actively participate in all sensory projects, including trial setup, training, and sensory panels.

Team and Safety Leadership:

• Communicate professionally and effectively with supervisors, team members, and contractors to ensure a clear understanding of objectives.
• Organize, train, and supervise temporary or seasonal workers, ensuring work is performed safely and efficiently.
• Actively participate in and contribute to location safety programs.

Requirements

Experience, Education, and Licensure/Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Experience in a plant breeding or agricultural research environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing and curating large data sets.
• Advanced knowledge of experimental design, data management, and field trial research.
• Solid understanding of agronomic techniques, plant cultivation, plant biology, and crop handling.
• Basic knowledge of plant integrated pest management and the ability to identify biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Must be self-motivated, innovative, and possess strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid Driver's License and a good driving record.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally and occasionally globally.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• 5+ years in a breeding program with directly applicable experience.
• Experience operating farm equipment (e.g., tractors, planters).
• Previous experience leading or supervising temporary workers.
• Forklift experience.
• Knowledge of production plant operations (e.g., conditioning, packaging).
• Ability to perform basic equipment maintenance.
• Fluent in Spanish

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions in a fast-paced, labor-intensive environment.
• Must be able to work in variable temperatures and weather conditions, from outdoor heat to indoor refrigerated coolers.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance. A flexible schedule, including longer hours and weekend work, will be required during seasonal peaks.
• Must be able to lift and move objects weighing up to 50-60 pounds and perform work that…