Plant Breeder

About Hollar Seeds
Hollar Seeds is a International Seed Company family business that has specialized in the breeding and development of cucurbits since 1950.  We take pride in the culture of our company, that being ingenuity, unfailing customer service, and providing only quality products.
Together with Syngenta Vegetable Seeds, we have an immediate opening for a Plant Breeder in Rocky Ford, CO.

Role Purpose 
The primary purpose of this role is to manage and lead the research and development programs for Summer Squash, Cucumber, and Pumpkin at Hollar Seeds. 

Accountabilities

• Plan and manage yearlong greenhouse programs for summer squash, cucumber, and pumpkin.
• Perform all tasks in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required training courses
• Communicate effectively and regularly with product development and the Hollar Seeds president regarding status of projects and work activities, raise awareness of issues that could affect meeting project objectives and business goals
• Develop awareness of market needs for commercial products for global markets. Continuous learning to understand changing market needs. Interaction with Sales/Commercial team to understand the nature of any product performance anomalies. Provide information to these groups to assist them with their decision-making processes
• Develop expertise in crop biology, germplasm and critical trait priorities
• Contribute to crop strategy and product profiles development in relation with market segment teams.
• Develop and deploy new breeding technologies and methods. Implement data driven decision in every part of the breeding program
• Using analytic and data science tools, predictive models for product selection and genomic selection
• Prepare varieties market introduction by using imputation and environment modelling to support best growing practices. 
• Prepare nurseries and yield trial experiments: Design current and future resource plans with key stake holders. Responsible of nurseries and yield trial execution
• Provide meaningful input on hybrid advancement decisions. Work with market segment teams to ensure appropriate selection criteria and target product profiles (TPP) are being applied.
• Responsible for a quantitative assessment of pipeline performance in alignment with market needs: Generate reports/tables/charts to highlight to other functions and management how product performance is measured over time or in comparison to check hybrids in a current growing season. Determine rates of genetic gain for different product pipelines in Market segments through mining of phenotypic data.
• Collaborate with Trait Development Leads and Genetic scientists to identify and develop marker-trait associations, innovative traits, germplasm management: Participate actively to discovery projects.
• Collect or ensure that field notes on agronomic traits on inbred and hybrid materials including pathology traits are taken.
   

Requirements

• PHD in AG Science or Plant Science with several years of experience in plant breeding preferred in either a commercial or academic setting.
• In-depth knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, statistics and field design, plant biology and marker breeding techniques including genome wide selection (GWS), population genetics, quantitative genetics.
• Project management in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Background in two or more of the following areas: plant breeding, genetics, statistics, plant biology/pathology/botany, marker assisted breeding/GWS
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Office and corporate software.
• Ability to effectively organize, manage and assign workload of multiple tasks in order to meet project goals and deadlines.  
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-today supervision. Adjust workload plans and resource allocations based on new direction in a changing environment.
• Ability to manage resources to achieve objectives but remain within budget.
• Travel requirements: Up to 25% (Domestic and International)

Preferred Requirements

• Ability to generate reports/charts/summary tables to communicate results and progress.
• Ability to lead and motivate others to high performance.

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution 
• Paid Vacation, 9 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year
• Salary ($89,000 - $115,000)

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Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
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About Syngenta
Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.