Senior Specialist Breeding

We are BASF in Agriculture and everything we do, we do for the love of farming, and the biggest job on Earth. We are an internationally successful company of the BASF Group. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems, connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools, and sustainability approaches to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers, and our other stakeholders along the value chain.

About the role

As a Senior Specialist Breeding, you will partner with the Breeder to set the direction for the breeding program, designing and executing processes for continuous variety creation and development for one or a few crops targeted to specific market segments. You will focus on accelerating time-to-market while working within the program’s budget to develop commercially successful varieties, provide coverage for the Breeder during short- to medium-term absences (up to one year), and ensure production of sufficient, high-quality stock seed of parental lines and varieties.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Breeder by researching and implementing new technologies and methods to increase breeding efficiency and deliver commercially successful varieties.
• Design and refine short-term breeding plans and reporting systems, preparing trial data summaries, feedback, and proposals to support divisional and corporate decisions.
• Plan, execute, evaluate, analyze, and document breeding trials autonomously following program guidelines to optimize output.
• Manage and coordinate basic stock seed increases and maintenance with Stock Seed and Production teams to ensure quantity and quality.
• Maintain detailed breeding administration and implement ICT improvements with the IT Application Manager to support efficient program operations.
• Coordinate and advise technical assistants and crop technicians to meet standards, schedules, and budgets.
• Monitor market demands and translate them into breeding objectives to guide program direction and cover the Breeder for up to one year.

Requirements

• Hold a BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, or a closely related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• BSc plus at least 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Practical knowledge of horticultural practices, genetics, and plant-breeding methods.
• Ability to operate specialized breeding and research equipment.
• Comfort with management information systems, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Clear and effective communication skills; fluency in English required, bilingual skills in Spanish preferred.
• Collaborative team player with strong organizational and planning skills.
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, interpersonal skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Comfortable working 50-60% in outdoor field conditions.
• Able to travel 5% domestically and potentially internationally.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible.
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options.
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members.
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more).
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages.
• Mentoring and career development opportunities.
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens.
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more.

Pay

The competitive pay range for this role is $75,200 - $103,400. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.