I.            Purpose

The main purpose of this position is to direct the daily functions of the Greens Breeding Program.  The Assistant Breeder will support the Greens Breeder in the overall goal of creating new varieties in the target market segments.  Baby leaf lettuce, multi-leaf lettuce, and spinach breeding activity at VMK USA falls under the umbrella of time dedicated to Greens. 

I.            Main Functions
·        Database management
o   Independently manage records in accordance with and under the direction of the Breeder.
o   Build crossing blocks based on direction from Breeder.
o   Management of harvest records in conjunction with Seed Inventory Technician.
o   Input of harvest records and new germplasm to the central system under the Breeder’s direction.
·         Main point of contact for all daily research activities of Greens Breeding Program including but not limited to:
o   Planting and managing all Greens R&D Trials in conjunction with the site manager.
o   Clear labeling and barcoding of genotypes in the field and greenhouse.
o   Ensure proper plant maintenance toward breeding program goals.
o   Coordinate and follow up with the research operations team on the allocation of selected plants in the different greenhouses and cages toward the execution of the breeding objectives.
o   Scheduling and execution of appropriate crosses determined by the breeder including reaching target seed numbers.

o   Clear tracking of compatibility and sterility systems in the breeding materials.
o   Continual follow-up and training on new and existing SOPs around sowing, planting, crossing, seed harvesting, and other data-collection techniques.
o   Creation and updating of all relevant SOPs in conjunction with the Breeder and operations team.
o   Organization of seed harvests and cleaning toward meeting deadlines set by the Breeder.

·         Shipments and records management
o   Serve as the main point of contact for sending and receiving all program shipments
o   Responsible for organized and thorough recordkeeping of all legal documents in relation to germplasm sent or received into the Greens Breeding program.

·         Planning and execution of breeding activity
o   Coordinate all phases of the Greens, Baby Leaf Lettuce, Multileaf, and Spinach trial plans including overall implementation and mapping of trials together with the Breeders and the operations team.
o   Maintain a calendar of activity for the Greens Breeding Program including but not limited to systematic deadlines for seed preparation, sowing dates, and shipment dates.
o   Compile and organize sowing lists for all breeding trials including trays and fields under the direction of the Greens Breeder as needed.
o   Compile sowing lists, create maps, coordinate planting, systematic data collection, and data analysis of yield and shelf-life trials with the support of Breede.r
o   Report and inform Breeders concerning the trial/crop evolution including any potential problems, scheduling of the most adequate evaluation period, as well as actively assist towards trial quality improvement.
o   Evaluation of breeding trays under the direction of the Breeder as needed.
o   Evaluation and data collection of research pipeline and report results to Greens Breeder.
o   Coordinate with lab personnel in charge of molecular marker analysis.  Schedule and execute tissue sampling of plants determined by the Greens Breeder.

·         Variety registration data collection including statistical analysis of greens varieties.
·         Implementation of pathology-related activity with internal and external partners.
·         Ensure compliance with activities within the SOPs by all stakeholders.
·         Travel as necessary.
·         Other duties and responsibilities as required by the supervisor.

  

  Interpersonal, Communication, and Analytical Skills:
o   Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and always maintain them. 
o   Exhibit the ability to understand and recognize the speech of another, listen to, and understand the information presented through spoken words or written sentences. 
o   Display the ability to pay attention to detail.  Be able to tell or anticipate when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. 
o   Display analytical thinking to recognize problems and find solutions. 
o   Apply the fundamental skills a