Applied Seed Technology Manager

KWS Seeds LLC. is looking for an Applied Seed Technology Manager to be part of our team in Tangent, OR! This role manages the Applied Technology and Seed Trial teams, provides technical support to commercial and pre-commercial seed processing, manages research activities to improve processing efficiency, and agronomic & processing practices as they relate to the quality of sugar beet seed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Design, document, manage and supervise research projects for improving seed processing, enhancements, agronomic practices, genetic potential, and quality. 
• Responsible for scaling up new technology from project design to implementation in commercial processing facility and field production activity. 
• Determine the critical data field staff needs to record, and the format needed to effectively compare seed quality and yield to growing conditions and agronomic practices. Compare this information across seasons, growers, regions, and fields.  
• Gather and analyze data from field production, seed processing, and quality control to identify areas of improvement and the impacts of current and future agronomic and production processes on various seed attributes such as purity, quality, size, vigor, yield, etc. 
• Ensure that Applied Technology and Seed Trial staff integrate with staff from other departments.
• Work with other department supervisors to combine field, processing, & QC data to improve our understanding of processes, increase seed quality, and increase recovery.
• Identify key factors in field production that optimize seed quality and seed processing objectives.
• Meet frequently with stakeholders on project advancement, data collection, and final direction at project close. Ensure stakeholders are part of project definition.  
• Lead Applied Technology and Seed Trial teams to ensure all activities are following project design and SOP’s.  
• Ensure data generated is consistent with established testing methods in other departments. 
• Manage field emergence trials from design to presenting the data to Director of Operations and other stakeholders.  
• Responsible for testing and communicating the results to stakeholders on all new seed treatments. 
• Frequently communicate and collaborate with KWS colleagues in Germany to exchange idea, information, new technologies, issues, solutions and experience in seed processing, quality, and field production activity.   
• Keep updated on advances in seed physiology and technology and introduce new ideas and techniques into the company seed processing. 
• Meet attendance requirements. 
• Other duties and/or assignments as needed.
   

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in an applicable field.
• PhD (preferred).
• Knowledge and experience in seed physiology, technology, and production, as well as allied industry chemical, equipment and research. 
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in Sugarbeet seed production or technology.
• Knowledge in experimental design, including the importance of randomization and replication. and data analysis.
• Knowledge of statistical techniques and concepts (regression, properties of distributions, statistical tests and proper usage, etc.) and experience with their applications.
• Experience visualizing and presenting data for stakeholders.
• Experience with Deep Learning frameworks (Pytorch or Tensorflow).
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple projects. 
• Demonstrated strong team leadership, communication, organizational and training skills.
• Willing to travel domestic and international.

What we offer:

• Salary of $90,000-110,000- depending on experience.

• Health, dental, vision benefits.
• Pension plan and 401(k) with employer match.
• Flexible paid-time-off (PTO).
• Professional training and development opportunities.
• An international and diverse team.

This employer participates in E-Verify and after acceptance of a job offer, will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.