Breeding Technician Hybrid Wheat USA

KWS•Moorhead, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

KWS Seeds, LLC is hiring a permanent, full-time Breeding Technician for its Spring Wheat breeding operations in Moorhead, Minnesota. The technician actively supports and independently organizes daily wheat breeding operations, providing accurate and efficient support for yield trials, maintenance activities, and early-generation breeding work. The role works closely with breeders, the station manager, station team members, seasonal staff, and interns, and may also support other crops handled at the station as assigned. The position includes planning and executing trials and nursery activities, collecting and recording data, managing breeding materials and supplies, supporting greenhouse work and crosses, and coordinating seed processing between harvest and sowing. It also involves technical supervision, shipment of breeding materials, use of technical equipment and specialty software, regular travel and driving, and operation of a forklift. The technician must follow company procedures and safety policies and use required personal protective equipment. The work may take place indoors or outdoors in varied environmental conditions, including loud, hot, cold, dusty, or damp settings. Rotating shifts may be required, including weekends, night shifts, and holidays. The role requires regular communication and frequent standing, walking, sitting, handling objects, and reaching, as well as occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Employees frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

High school degree.
Interest in breeding, agronomy, genetics, or related fields.
Basic computer skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in breeding, agronomy, genetics, horticulture, or a related field, or comparable work experience in crop improvement and variety development.
Forklift license or ability to obtain one.
People management skills.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Proven critical, logical, and innovative thinking skills.
Willingness to travel to other breeding stations and learn breeding workflows and activities.
High learning attitude and growth mindset.

Responsibilities

Support breeders and the station manager in executing and evaluating wheat yield trials and screening nurseries at all locations.
Collect data in the Maintenance Nursery and assist breeders with completing PVP documents.
Work with station team members to plan and execute breeding activities.
Assist breeders with performing crosses and independently manage the greenhouse when the breeder is absent.
Train and work with seasonal staff and summer interns.
Coordinate and technically supervise activities to turn around seeds between harvest and sowing.
Create field plans and generate field books; record data using technical equipment and specialty software.
Facilitate shipment of breeding materials to partners and collaborators inside and outside the USA while complying with requirements.
Maintain adequate stocks of breeding supplies and materials.
Provide technical expertise in handling breeding machinery.
Ensure purchasing stays within budget and authorized levels are not exceeded.
Travel, drive, and/or operate a forklift on behalf of the business as required.
Meet attendance requirements.
Follow the Company Handbook, rules, guidelines, procedures, and safety policies, and use personal protective equipment correctly.
Perform other duties and/or work in other crops handled at the station as assigned by the supervisor.