Senior Manager of Product Development Breeding

Driscoll’s • Watsonville, CA

15d

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Product Development Breeding leads the optimization of breeding and testing of precommercial pipelines, monitors performance in a regional and local context, and represents R&D in regional networks and at customer-facing forums. Reporting to the VP of Global Breeding, the role partners with product leaders, regional teams, and growers to deliver varieties that uphold Driscoll’s standards for flavor, quality, and grower value. This role can be located in one of the following locations: Watsonville, CA, Maidstone, UK, Spain, or Portugal.

Requirements

• MSc in plant breeding, genetics, horticulture, agronomy, or related field with a minimum of 10 years in agricultural research.
• Proven experience in commercial breeding or product management, data analysis, phenotyping, and environmental modeling.
• A successful record of leading and developing staff with the ability to work in a diverse, team-oriented, global organization. Ability to lead without direct line authority.
• Successful track record of adopting predictive analytics methods, driving digital transformation, planning, coordinating, and proactively directing broad, complex programs and multiple projects, simultaneously.
• Experience in effective change management, including deployment of new products, processes, or systems.
• Capability to manage a large and highly complex R&D program structure within a global operational setting.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team while collaborating with colleagues in achieving team goals.
• Broad industry knowledge including awareness and understanding of competitors, technologies, and cultural systems.
• Self-starter and have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel nationally and internationally.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, berry crop experience, or PhD a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partnership with product leadership to define and deliver new product concepts
• Design pre-commercial breeding and testing strategies aligned with regional needs;
• Collaborate with regional networks to support successful new product introductions;
• Translate product needs into actionable breeding priorities to create successful product lineup;
• Cultivate and maintain relationship with regional stakeholders and execute testing and commercial agreements.
• Integrate environmental and growers’ insights into product advancements
• Oversee testing optimizations to better understand G x E interactions in the local and regional context;
• Analyze multi‑location and multi‑year trials to separate genetic and environmental.
• Lead varietal development managers with accountability for progress and success of local pipelines
• Provide day-to-day management and leadership to the variety development managers
• Establish rigorous experimental protocols and collaborate with breeding teams to evaluate trials and guide advancement decisions;
• Produce executive reports on pipeline health, performance trends, and opportunities;
• Use digital tools and predictive analytics to improve decision-making and efficiency.
• Communicate priorities and progress to product leaders, growers, and regional operations
• Effectively communicate at regional networks and at customer-facing events;
• Maintain accurate product and market information in company systems.

Benefits

• Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week.
• Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• More detailed information regarding the benefits package will be shared during the application process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager