Breeding Technician

In order to support the pepper breeding program and strengthen our breeding team, **KWS Vegetables**_ _is looking for a **Breeding Technician - Pepper (M/F/d)**. The position will be **unlimited**and **full-time**.

**Job Purpose**

The Breeding Technician will play a critical role in executing and managing the operational breeding processes for the pepper crop, ensuring the long-term success and profitability of the breeding program. This position involves working closely with supervisors and other team members to optimize breeding trials, manage personnel, and maintain high-quality standards across all activities.

Are you passionate about supporting innovative breeding programs and contributing to the development of commercially successful pepper varieties? If you thrive in a team environment and enjoy hands-on work in the field and greenhouses, then this is the role for you

**What you can expect in this role**:
**Development**:

- Execute, manage, monitor, and provide advice on operational breeding processes for pepper crops.
- Ensure efficient and effective execution of breeding activities within budget and resource constraints.
- Breeding Trials:

- Organize and execute the sowing, planting, and harvesting of breeding trials, including crossing blocks, family plantings, and hybrid screenings.
- Work closely with the farm team to manage crop health and maximize breeding output through proper disease control, timely fruit harvest, and other crop management activities.
- Responsible for label printing for seeds, seedlings, and plants.
- Collect phenotypic information following directions of their supervisors. Upload and download this information into data systems. Phenotypic information could include evaluations of Hybrids/lines.

**Basic Stock Seeds**:

- Oversee the production, storage, and elimination of seeds as directed by supervisors.
- Ensure compliance with quality control protocols and hygiene standards.
- Tissue Sampling and Data Collection:

- Collect tissue samples for DNA extractions and disease testing.
- Gather phenotypic data following supervisor instructions and manage its upload/download into data systems.

**Personnel Management**:

- Plan, organize, and distribute, in close collaboration with farm, daily work for temporary staff and ensure adherence to agreed standards, timelines, and budgets.
- Provide technical advice and on-the-job training to temporary staff.

**Communication and Collaboration**:

- Maintain close communication with farm technicians, temporary workers, pathology teams, screening specialists, and other breeding technicians.
- Ensure alignment of phenotypic data collection across breeding program locations.
- Frequent contact with other breeding and farm teams
- Growers of external trial sites (Advisors/Contractors)

**What you bring in**:

- Education & Experience:

- Secondary vocational education in agriculture, horticulture, or biology.
- Minimum of two years of experience in a similar role.
- Knowledge & Skills:

- Working knowledge of horticulture, agronomy, and pathology, specifically related to peppers.
- Strong organization and planning skills.
- Basic computer skills and familiarity with management information systems.
- Core Competencies:

- Drive Results.
- Collaborates effectively with diverse teams.
- Focus on self-development and continuous learning.
- Customer-focused mindset.
- Strong planning and alignment capabilities.

**What we offer**:

- A dynamic and supportive work environment.
- Opportunities to contribute to innovative pepper breeding projects.
- Collaboration with an experienced and passionate team.
- Professional development opportunities.