Location: Oxnard, California

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with Seminis Vegetable Seeds.
At Seminis Vegetable Seeds, a division of Monsanto Company, we are committed to recruiting and retaining the best individuals through our team-oriented culture that encourages creativity, decision-making, and entrepreneurial spirit. Seminis is the largest developer, grower and marketer of fruit and vegetable seeds in the world. We lead the development of hybrids that improve nutrition, boost crop yields, limit spoilage and reduce the need of chemicals. Research is the heart of Seminis and its future as we are committed to consistently introducing innovative products for our customers. It's amazing to consider that improving human health, promoting environmental stewardship and fostering greater economic growth for the agricultural community can all start with something as small as a seed.

We seek a motivated individual for our SEED LAB MANAGER role at our Oxnard, California position.

In this role the candidate is responsible for managing all seed lab activities and includes personnel supervision, training, scheduling and accurate reporting of routine testing, productivity and costing metrics, budget and expense control, proper operation / maintenance of seed lab equipment and facilities. The Oxnard Seed lab is a one of a kind, world class seed lab involved heavily in the development of new and exciting technologies in the area of seed physiology. The position is involved in the implementation of new tests and improvement of existing methods as well as various official certifications and collaborations from a global perspective.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Personnel management of lab employees with strong human relations and leadership skills. Provides environment of teaching, training and developing employees to increase skill set and facilitate professional growth. Other related duties include:

  1. Perform employee appraisals. Recognize employee disciplinary problems, conflicts and effectively communicate to management.

  2. Manage conflict and identify problems to arrive at constructive solutions while maintaining positive working relationships. Carry out responsibilities in accordance with departmental guidelines, company policies and applicable laws.

  3. Administer, review and approve employee time cards. Maintain direct link with payroll.
      

• assures consistency, reliability and credibility of lab data within Oxnard lab and cooperates with efforts for harmonization among global labs. Sees that benchmark strategies and procedures (ring testing, daily controls and analyst to analyst) are followed and corrective measures are taken.

• Productivity- Assures planting and evaluations are completed according to established timelines. Leads a team oriented environment and works on an individual basis for employees to meet personal targets. Assess work capacity, schedule vacations and advise when temporary help is required

• Costs - manages assigned budget and continuously looks for ways to optimize, increase efficiency and reduce costs. Understands and manages lab to meet over / under absorption objectives.

• Innovation Leads and provides an environment of optimizing and improving test methods. Works with special services testing team to transition new tests into the commercial lab. 

• Safety (ESH) - leads and sees that all environmental, safety and health requirements are met. Meets all ESH training requirements and provides leadership and clear direction for employees. Create a safe work environment that supports quality work and high productivity. Exercise maximum care and good judgment at all times to prevent accidents and injuries. Promote awareness, training and enforcement of ESH procedures.

• Other related duties include:

  1. Maintain inventory control of seed lab supplies. Ensure employees have proper equipment and tools to do their jobs. 

  2. Coordinate, plan and monitor the daily functioning of all seed lab equipment and facilities.

  3. Communicate regularly and effectively with peers, subordinates and managers. Interpersonal skills are of key importance. Must be able to interact with others in a professional, calm, and tactful manner under a variety of situations and must retain confidentiality in personnel matters. 
      

• Additional duties may be assigned.

The successful candidate will possess the following requirements:

• Knowledge of seed testing methods, ISTA and / or AOSA rules, seed testing equipment and facilities.

• Excellent human relation skills, effective oral and written communication skills required.

• Demonstrated supervisory abilities are critical.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as scientific journal articles, seed testing procedures and methods, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals as well as train others in use. 

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence, including the use of email and memorandum.

• Ability to speak effectively before groups of visitors or colleagues.

Desired skills/education/experience/attributes (ideal candidate):

MS degree with 3+ years experience in seed lab management with emphasis on personnel development, or
BS degree in related field with 5+ years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Please visit our Career website at www.seminis.com to apply online and select the location:

Oxnard, California
SEED LAB MANAGER
Req. # mons-00008469

Monsanto is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity.

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Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located.

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