Research & Development Coordinator at Miami, FL – Miami, Florida

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.

DESCRIPTION

The R&D Coordinator at Costa Farms is a highly organized and detail-oriented professional passionate about supporting research and development operations, coordinating trial material, and maintaining strong communication with vendors and internal teams. As part of the Research & Development Team, they will be responsible for executing initiatives that support efficient trial management, accurate system data, and strong communication and coordination between internal and external teams such as breeders and vendors. By promoting clear communication, timely follow-up, and organized tracking of R&D activities, the R&D Coordinator contributes to streamlining research operations, supporting successful trial execution, and ensuring effective collaboration across operations, production planning, and procurement teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Create and manage new trials within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for the Asheville, Trenton, and Miami locations.

· Generate weekly Sowing, Sticking, and Potting reports along with the required tags associated.

· Maintain accurate trial records by promptly updating substitutions, backorders, and other changes in the system.

· Generate and manage purchase orders for breeders, vendors, and suppliers, ensuring timely follow-up and accurate documentation.

· Partner with Accounts Payable to onboard new vendors and ensure proper vendor setup within company systems.

· Act as a liaison between R&D, operations, production planning, and hard goods departments to support smooth trial execution and communication.

· Provide regular updates to the R&D Director on trial progress, key milestones, and any challenges requiring attention.

· Maintain cleanliness and organization of garden and greenhouse areas.

Additional Responsibilities

· Availability for flexible schedule changes based on business needs (including but not limited to seasonal demand and additional hours outside of the regular work schedule, such as weekends, nights, and holidays).

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information or help as required.

· Perform additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in Spanish and English.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong emphasis in Excel

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data to diverse audiences.

· Superior organizational, self-motivation and problem-solving skills

· Ability to effectively operate both independently and as part of a team

· Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work schedules as needed.

Physical Demands

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body Primarily involves sitting, with occasional requirements to stand, walk, or lift objects to a certain weight.

Work Environment:

The role involves utilizing standard office equipment, such as computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, telephones, and other essential digital tools required for daily tasks.

The role is primarily office-based, which may include open spaces with background noise from conversations, office equipment, and phone calls. Occasionally, tasks may require working outdoors in various weather conditions.

SKILLS

· Experience setting priorities for their teams and making strong decisions.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Capability to multitask and follow up on projects.

· Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

· Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.

· Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.

COMPETENCIES

· Communicates effectively

· Builds networks

· Drives results

· Optimizes work processes

· Collaborates

· Ensures Accountability

Here at Costa Farms, we're proud to offer not only a competitive wage, but also some really great benefits:

· Company 401(k) with employer matching contributions

· Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care

· Telehealth - Medical and Mental Health Care

· Medical Insurance

· GAP Insurance

· Dental Insurance

· Vision Insurance

· Pet Insurance

· Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC)

· Legal/ID Theft Protection plans

· Professional development opportunities

· Challenging and exciting work environment

· Costa Farms Scholarship

· Employee discounts on plants

Costa Farms headquarters in Miami, FL also has:

· On-site gym with showers

· A subsidized on-site cafeteria, a designated quiet room, and indoor recreational activities are provided.

· Love Where You Work activities throughout the year

All applicants must be work-authorized.

Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

After applying, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and your go-to social platforms to stay updated on exciting developments at Costa Farms and build relationships with fellow plant enthusiasts on our team. Come Grow with Us™!