Plant Breeder in Guadalupe, California at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

Plant Breeder I / II – PanAmerican Seed

Location: Guadalupe, California – R&D Breeding

Help shape the next generation of ornamental varieties.

PanAmerican Seed, a division of Ball Horticulture Company is seeking a curious, and innovative Plant Breeder to join our R&D Breeding team in Guadalupe, California. Reporting to the North American Breeding Director, this position offers the opportunity to develop commercially successful seed-propagated ornamental varieties while working alongside an experienced global breeding organization.

At PanAmerican Seed, breeders work across a diverse portfolio of globally recognized ornamental crops and collaborate closely with experts in pathology, molecular breeding, breeding technology, production, and product management. We invest in modern breeding tools and encourage curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement to help our breeders deliver meaningful impact. This opportunity creates ownership of breeding projects while collaborating with a global R&D team.

Guadalupe is located on California's beautiful Central Coast, offering a mild year-round climate with easy access to beaches, hiking, mountain biking, and California wine country.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage assigned breeding projects and breeding activities across multiple seasons.

• Advance breeding populations through crossing, selection, trial evaluation, and data-driven decision making.

• Develop improved varieties/hybrids that meet breeding objectives for quality, performance, and commercial success.

• Contribute to breeding strategy and project objectives in partnership with the North American Breeding Director and Product Management.

• Collaborate closely with Production, Supply Chain, Pathology, Product Management, and other R&D teams to support successful product development and reliable seed production.

• Share technical knowledge with colleagues and support the development of junior team members.

• Represent breeding during internal meetings, grower visits, trials, and industry interactions.

• Travel approximately 25% domestically and internationally to evaluate trials, collaborate with colleagues, and monitor industry trends.

What Success Looks Like

Successful candidates will:

• Deliver breeding progress that supports PanAmerican Seed’s product pipeline and long term business objectives

• Make sound, data-driven breeding decisions.

• Build strong partnerships across R&D and commercial teams.

• Continuously improve breeding methods and workflows.

• Demonstrate scientific curiosity, ownership, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Required

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of plant breeding principles, and the application modern breeding tools and technologies to improve breeding outcomes.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across scientific disciplines and functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred

• Experience breeding seed-propagated ornamental crops.

• Experience working in commercial product development