Senior Specialist Breeding

Now hiring! Senior Specialist Breeding

Acampo, CA

We are looking for a Senior Specialist Breeding to join our Agricultural Solutions team for our BASF | Nunhems Vegetable Seeds business in Acampo, CA.

Welcome to BASF

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. With teams in the lab, field, office, and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture.

#ForTheLoveOfFarming #TheBiggestJobOnEarth #AgEmployerOfChoice

Here you can gain more insight into our Vision at BASF Agricultural Solutions!

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.

As a Senior Specialist Breeding, you create chemistry by...

• Assisting the Breeder by researching and implementing new technologies and methods to increase breeding efficiency and deliver commercially successful varieties.


• Designing and refining short-term breeding plans and reporting systems, preparing trial data summaries, feedback, and proposals to support divisional and corporate decisions.


• Planning, executing, evaluating, analyzing, and documenting breeding trials autonomously following program guidelines to optimize output.


• Managing and coordinating basic stock seed increases and maintenance with Stock Seed and Production teams to ensure quantity and quality.


• Maintaining detailed breeding administration and implementing ICT improvements with the IT Application Manager to support efficient program operations.


• Coordinating and advising technical assistants and crop technicians to meet standards, schedules, and budgets.


• Monitoring market demands and translating them into breeding objectives to guide program direction and cover the Breeder for up to one year.

If you...

• Hold a BSc in horticulture, plant breeding, genetics, or a closely related field. Masters degree, preferred. 


• Have a BSc plus at least 2 years of relevant professional experience


• Possess practical knowledge of horticultural practices, genetics, and plant-breeding methods


• Can operate specialized breeding and research equipment


• Are comfortable with management information systems, databases, and spreadsheets


• Communicate clearly and effectively. Are fluent in English, required. Bilingual skills in Spanish, preferred. 


• Are a collaborative team player with strong organizational and planning skills


• Demonstrate analytical thinking, problem-solving, innovation, interpersonal skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset


• Are comfortable working 50-60% in outdoor field conditions


• Are able to travel 5%, domestically and potentially internationally

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• 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 that allow you to share, learn, and thrive


• 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!

About us

Agricultural Solutions is a trusted partner to the agricultural industry, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that help farmers succeed across a wide range of cropping systems. Across North America, our teams work together to address some of agriculture's most important challenges while creating value for customers, communities, and the environment. At BASF, you'll find opportunities to grow your career, collaborate with talented colleagues, and make a meaningful impact through work that matters. 

Find out more about our Agricultural Solutions team here. 

Our people are at the heart of everything, dedicated to delivering value for our customers every day. By focusing on enabling our people today and in the future, we will ensure we have the talent and skills needed to succeed. United by the love of farming, we innovate, collaborate, and strive for the best solutions together, creating connections and driving success as one team. This is how we make an impact. For the love of farming, the biggest job on Earth.

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact [email protected] to report fraud.

Pay transparency

BASF is committed to pay transparency practices. 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. 

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.