Specialist Grower- Research, Breeding & Marketing Trials

Company Description

Syngenta Flowers North America is one of the largest wholesale breeders of hybrid flower seed and cuttings in the world – developing and producing flower seeds and cuttings for growers internationally. We are dedicated to the breeding innovative flower varieties that offer outstanding performance in the professional greenhouse, at retail, in the landscape and in the home garden. In addition to legendary genetics, we support industry professionals with world-class customer service, in-depth cultural information, flexible and exciting marketing programs, and a deep understanding of plants from many points of view.
Syngenta Flowers has garnered more than 35 international awards for introducing hybrid annuals to the world, including such garden mainstays as Calliope® Interspecific Geraniums, Diabunda™ Dianthus, Endurio™ Violas, Sparkler™ Cleome, and Magellan™ Zinnias.
We are seeking a Specialist Grower for Research, Breeding and Marketing trials for our team based in Gilroy, California. 

https://www.syngentaflowers-us.com/about-us

Job Description

The purpose of the Specialist Grower- Research/Breeding Trials is to support the different growing trials and programs in delivering on project goals by providing technical assistance in the greenhouse and supervising a crew of greenhouse technicians, assistant growers, and/or irrigators. Follow and apply all HSE (Health, Safety, & Environment) and Stewardship practices, as well as to provide feedback to site management with the functional activities of a research facility.

The ideal candidate will preferably possess these key skills in addition to those listed below. 

• Trials professional capable to manage ambiguity within Research, breeding and marketing trials.
• Prefer ability to communicate in Spanish with labor and English with stakeholders.
• Ability to map and resource out workload and distribute out to labor teams
• Must be science and data driven to enhance and upgrade crops cultures

Accountabilities

• Guide the growing process for designated crops and trials including propagation, transplanting, irrigation, fertilizer, plant growth regulator application, plant maintenance, insect and disease management, and crop scheduling
• Proactively monitor the plants to early detect deviations and diseases (fungi, insects, viruses, bacteria, stretched growth etc.)
• Develop with the Head Grower and maintain IPM program (facilitate spray applications as needed, collect IPM data, determine pest thresholds, determine preventative IPM program)
• Screening field trials to identify, remedy and/or prevent pest and diseases
• Regular communication with trial stakeholders (breeders, marketing team, etc) regarding trial progress, deviations, and challenges
• Align growing protocols for each specific trial with the pre-set quality standards as set by the stakeholders (breeders, marketing team, etc).
• Work closely with operations and planning,
• To utilize IS tools (e.g., Kikker) and review weekly work schedules based on tasks that need to be executed to grow trials
• Setting guidelines on the required climate control (temperature, humidity, day length and assimilation lighting) and the frequency of watering, fertilization, and crop protection strategy
• Using a climate computer to create an optimal environment for the plants (temperature, humidity, day length and assimilation lighting)
• Comparing crop yield/performance with soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop (site-specific) crop management plans
• Monitor and enforce data collection regarding plant health or performance
• Support and implement high throughput Phenotyping as needed
• Together with the team and stakeholders, conduct cultivation evaluations and make sure that improvements and findings from those evaluations are being included in the growing protocols
• Ensure all HSE and phytosanitary protocols are followed and enforced by the growing and operation teams
• Make suggestions on renewal (quality) improvements, hygiene, efficiency (LEAN) and capacity adjustment (equipment, manpower) for production of breeding crops

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, crop, or plant science. Candidates with several years of relevant agriculture experience may be considered.
• Understanding of plant physiology and growing techniques.
• Experience growing potted floral plants in a R&D greenhouse environment desirable
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word and Excel, and other standard software.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary systems for label printing and inventory management.