Field Trial Operations Manager

Avalo, Inc.•Amarillo, TX

2d•$85,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

Avalo is seeking a Field Trial Operations Manager to lead the execution and expansion of its field-based trial program, primarily focused on cotton. The role translates research objectives into scientifically rigorous field trials that generate high-quality data and inform advancement decisions. The manager applies agronomy and/or plant-breeding expertise to trial design, protocols, crop evaluation, phenotypic and agronomic data collection, and interpretation of field performance. As a member of Avalo's broader cotton program, the manager works cross-functionally with research, product, computational, and go-to-market teams so field results inform advancement decisions, research priorities, product development, and the cotton portfolio. The role is based in Texas, with Amarillo or Lubbock preferred; other Texas locations may be considered. It requires significant time at trial sites, regular travel throughout Texas and to other U.S. trial locations, and potentially international travel. Seasonal and weekend work may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related field.
Experience in cotton physiology, agronomy, breeding, and/or field-based R&D.
Demonstrated experience managing 50+ acres of agricultural R&D field trials, including planning and execution from planting through harvest.
Strong understanding of plant breeding, experimental design, agronomic principles, crop production cycles, phenotyping, and field-based selection.
Experience evaluating field performance and using agronomic and trial data to inform line advancement or selection decisions.
Experience managing multi-location trials, trial partners, contractors, seasonal labor, and field logistics.
Strong understanding of field-data quality and experience working with large or complex agricultural datasets.
Strong organizational and operational skills, including the ability to build systems and manage increasingly complex trial programs at scale.
Self-directed, hands-on leadership, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to trial and nursery locations.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to work 40+ hours per week; seasonal and weekend work may be required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related field.
Experience with propagation, seed increase, winter nurseries, or other breeding-material scale-up activities.
Experience collaborating with computational, data science, or predictive modeling teams.

Responsibilities

Lead planning and execution of Avalo's cotton R&D field trial portfolio, ensuring trials are scientifically rigorous and aligned with research and program objectives.
Apply agronomic and plant-breeding expertise to trial design, site selection, field protocols, plot design, trial management, and crop-performance evaluation.
Oversee field trials from planting and crop management through phenotyping, sampling, harvest, ginning, and post-season evaluation.
Evaluate trial performance during the season, identify issues and opportunities, and make agronomic and trial decisions as conditions evolve.
Maintain consistent standards, high-quality data collection, and experimental integrity across trial locations.
Synthesize field observations, environmental conditions, and trial results into actionable agronomic insights for research and advancement decisions.
Lead field-based evaluation and advancement of cotton lines in alignment with research and product objectives.
Partner with computational and AI teams to integrate field-performance, phenotypic, agronomic, and environmental data into model development and line selection.
Use agronomic and breeding expertise alongside computational insights to inform line advancement decisions.
Develop plans for future testing, propagation, and scale-up of selected material.
Lead the winter nursery program, including line allocation, propagation planning, acreage requirements, execution, evaluation, and harvest.
Manage propagation and scale-up of plant material for future trials, testing, and program growth.
Maintain accurate tracking and traceability of lines and plant material across locations, generations, and advancement stages.
Develop field-trial infrastructure, processes, partnerships, and resources to support an expanding R&D trial portfolio.
Plan trial locations, acreage, equipment, labor, contractors, supplies, and other execution resources.
Build and manage relationships with growers, research organizations, academic collaborators, contractors, and other field-trial partners.
Ensure trial equipment and capabilities are available, maintained, calibrated, and operated correctly.
Manage field-trial logistics across multiple locations, including movement of plant material, equipment, samples, and supplies.
Select, schedule, coordinate, train, and oversee seasonal labor, field support, and third-party service providers.
Direct field crews across trial locations, adjust plans as weather and crop conditions change, and ensure field activities are completed on time and accurately.
Establish and enforce field protocols, safety practices, equipment-operation standards, and data-collection procedures.
Coordinate with research, computational/AI, product, and go-to-market teams to ensure field R&D supports the broader cotton program.
Communicate field-trial priorities, timelines, and resource needs across the organization.
Work with internal teams to identify data needs, refine field-data collection strategies, and integrate field, phenotypic, and environmental data into their workstreams.
Present trial results, model data, and field observations as clear findings and recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.