Summary:
Innovative Seed Solutions (ISS) is looking for an Operations and Logistics Manager to work collaboratively with their partner, Semillas y Agroproductos Moreno Retis (SMR), in San Juan de Abajo, Mexico. This manager will play a critical role in ensuring the success of their Research and Development efforts by helping to design, implement, and coordinate a multi-phase, continuous flow, continuously operating global trait introgression program that aligns with and enhances Innovative Seed Solutions’ long-term product, trait, and business strategies. The candidate will help build, oversee, and implement strategic and operational components of Innovative Seed Solution’s sorghum Trait Introgression (TI) program and winter nursery operations in Mexico, including developing and overseeing all components of the TI project implementation and then leading the TI program operations upon opening. In addition, the candidate will facilitate the contra season and winter nursery work linkages with SMR and other R&D and breeding activities globally.
Specific responsibilities include:
- TI Program – Project Management
- Coordinate the on-site design, planning, procurement, and implementation of the TI program project from concept to completion.
- Coordinate and collaborate with ISS leadership, global R&D teams, global demand teams, SMR, contract partners, enabling technology partners, contractors, and independent subject matter experts through to the completion of the project lifecycle.
- Coordinate and plan the flow of genetic materials in, throughout, and back to contributors.
- Drive the development and implementation of innovative solutions to enhance trait introgression efficiency and continuously improve work quality.
- Assist in the budgeting and resource allocation process within ISS and with SMR, to include operations, personnel, and the expense and capital budgets of the Trait Introgression station.
- TI Program- Operations Management, working closely and coordinating with SMR.
- Coordinate the planning, planting, greenhouse management, field management, data collection and harvest operations of research nurseries for traited inbred line development at on/off station sites.
- Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the greenhouses, nurseries, and seed increases, ensuring appropriate management and development of plants in fields and greenhouses.
- Accountable for the maintenance of accurate stage and seed inventory records and to manage the discard of obsolete sources.
- Coordinate the preparation of the nurseries, to include: seed packaging, planting, agronomic management, self and cross pollinations, seed processing, hand-offs, and on and off-site logistics.
- Maintain excellent connectivity with leadership, global R&D stations, Demand, SMR, and enabling technology partners.
- Assist in the planning and procurement of necessary labor, training, equipment, and capital resources for the operation of the Trait Introgression station.
- Accountable for the maintenance and upkeep of greenhouse and field equipment.
- Logistics, Winter Nursery, and Other Responsibilities, working closely and coordinating with SMR.
- Coordinate the work of a team of field staff, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure consistent adherence to set protocols and delivery of specified results.
- Coordinate and enable seed movement in-station and between stations in the ISS network.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives supporting the validation and deployment of technologies, methods for improving outcomes, operational efficiencies, new work products, and digital capabilities.
- Ensure compliance with worker protection standards, local company safety guidelines, and good housekeeping practices in the field and in the greenhouse.
Job Requirements:
- A MSc. in agronomy, crop science, genetics, plant breeding or a B.S. with a minimum of five years of relevant job experience related to trait introgression, seed nursery management, or seed production. Greenhouse management experience is a plus.
- Proven competency in project management; including the ability to lead and influence people and process across cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication skills, including fluency in both Spanish and English, including verbal and written communications.
- A sufficient understanding of genetic and plant breeding principles and techniques, including molecular markers, breeding schemes, cytoplasmic male sterility, and plant phenotyping methods.
- Able to develop methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results across complex activities and works with others to foster this culture.
- Proven ability to lead and train people effectively and to interact within a multi-disciplinary team and across multiple international teams.
- Experience with product tracking and scanning systems and related data storage methodologies.
- Able and willing to make domestic and international trips as needed to support research, project management, and collaboration with international partners and teams.
Competencies:
- Inventive, adaptable, meticulous, focused, and committed to continuous improvement.
- A dynamic self-starter, with the ability and initiative to frequently work unsupervised.
- Both a strategic thinker and an energetic do-er.
- Able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and work with tight deadlines.
- Results driven with a sense of urgency – prioritizing and monitoring work to ensure the successful completion of critical projects within set timelines and budgets.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
- High capacity to communicate, collaborate, and work with cross-functional teams, build broad networks, and gain support from colleagues.
- Able to understand, summarize, and clearly communicate complex instructions and information fluently in Spanish and in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong analytical skills, problem solving skills, planning and project management skills, organizational skills, and uncompromising attention to detail.
Interested candidates should contact Rick Henley, Project Manager at Innovative Seed Solutions, LLC (rick.henley@innovativeseedsolutions.com 1-317-358-9235) with any question and for information on how to apply.
