Reference: 2021-6335

The fourth largest seed company in the world, Limagrain is an international cooperative group created and directed by French farmers. As a creator and producer of plant varieties, Limagrain markets field seeds, vegetable seeds and cereal products. HM.CLAUSE, Business Unit of Group Limagrain, is an innovative global leader in the development, production, and commercialization of vegetable seeds. HM.CLAUSE belongs to the top 5 vegetable seed entities in the world. With over 2,000 varieties in more than 20 vegetable crops, HM.CLAUSE provides innovative solutions to growers worldwide.  

Function: RESEARCH & INNOVATION - BREEDING

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Main Goal

HM.CLAUSE is a Business Unit of Limagrain, an international agricultural co-operative founded and managed by farmers. HM.CLAUSE specializes in the breeding, production, and sale of vegetable seeds. From the world market to the farmer's market, we collaborate with our customers to deliver successful solutions for the agricultural challenges of today and produce the highest quality vegetable seeds for the future. Our global team of experts and state-of-the-art research facilities enable us to work side-by-side with growers to provide the most regionally relevant and reliable vegetable seeds available.

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• In consultation with the Breeding Director, defines the breeding methodology, and develops a genetic improvement program to create new parent lines and competitive hybrid varieties in line with market needs.
• Develops expert understanding of target markets, competitor products, and current/shifting product specifications to deliver innovative and industry leading products.
• Remains abreast of scientific and technological developments in field of expertise.
• Coordinates the implementation of breeding program activity across a network of breeding stations and screening sites.
• Executes an efficient parental line development program through informed decisions on new developmental cross starts and subsequent selection with the latest Marker Assisted Breeding and Genomic Selection technologies using open field/rapid cycling/DH approaches.
• Responsible for delivery of uniform inbred lines to production and basic seed.
• Designs new hybrid (product) crosses that incorporate structured germplasm approaches, and predictive breeding insights, to maximize genetic gain and product success in the marketplace.
• Undertakes objective phenotyping of genetic material placed in the different targeted markets. Analyses results using statistical tools to nominate product advancement of new HMX hybrids within R&D pipeline through handoff to Product Development/Sales.
• Coordination of regional and global germplasm use in melon, including implementation of germplasm pools and structured breeding approach.
• Acts as the main collaborator for the Pre-Breeders, Genetic Application Leads, and Molecular Project Leads for the AMPA melon team for technology and germplasm transfer across HM.Clause and other Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS) business units. Co-leads trait project prioritization efforts in HM.Clause (and LVS) for melon.
• Utilizes internal Limagrain Vegetable Seeds databases for germplasm management (BOS) and data collection.
• Manages and leads the melon breeding team in the Americas, including setting business and development goals. This management could extend to other Cucurbit breeding programs beyond melon.
• Ensures adoption of latest tools and technology across all responsible breeding programs.
• Maximizes the use of all resources allocated to the responsible breeding program(s): human, technical, budget.
• Harmonizes uniform phenotyping procedures, including implementation of automated phenotyping, across responsible crops species.
• Discusses and challenges the technical and genetic content of all breeding programs of their group of crops.

Profile

Education and/or Experience

• Master's Degree in Agronomic or Biological science with specialization in Plant Breeding or Genetics; PhD desired.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in breeding or experimental breeding program management.
• Must be proficient in English; proficiency in French and/or Spanish a plus.
• Extensive travel, both domestic and international, may be required.

Application

Please click HERE to learn more and to apply online.

HM.Clause is an "at will" employer.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Drug Free Workplace