Research and Variety Development Manager

Research and Variety Development Manager Sun Pacific - 3.5 Visalia, CA Job Details Full-time 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Life insurance Qualifications Spanish English Bachelor's degree Organizational skills Farming Full Job Description Job Summary The Research & Variety Development Manager is responsible for coordinating variety trial programs and company research initiatives across farming operations. This role serves as the operational lead between breeders, farm managers, agronomy teams, and company leadership to ensure variety trials and research projects are properly planned, documented, executed, evaluated, and reported. The position oversees trial coordination, farming practice timing, data collection, project documentation, breeder communication, research reporting, and presentation of results related to new varieties, agronomic practices, operational improvements, and emerging agricultural technologies.

Reporting Relationship:

The Research & Variety Development Manager will directly report to and work under the supervision of the Director of Agronomy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential job duties and responsibilities are included, but are not limited to: Variety Trial Coordination & Management

• Coordinate farming operations and execution for company variety trial blocks across citrus, kiwi, and table grape operations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between breeders, farm managers, agronomy teams, irrigators, and company leadership.
• Develop, organize, and maintain annual trial plans including cultural practices, irrigation, fertility, pest management, crop manipulation, harvest timing, sampling schedules, and data collection requirements.
• Ensure farming practices, timelines, and breeder requirements are properly executed and documented.
• Track and verify completion of all trial-related activities and ensure critical deadlines and operational targets are met.
• Collect, organize, validate, and maintain trial data, observations, operational records, and historical documentation.
• Prepare summaries, reports, presentations, and recommendations related to trial performance, variety evaluations, and operational findings.
• Present trial progress, results, and recommendations to management teams.
• Attend breeder meetings, field days, and industry evaluations to manage breeder relationships and assess potential new variety opportunities. Research & Development Project Management
• Coordinate company research and development projects related to agronomy, irrigation, fertility, pesticides, PGRs, agricultural technology, crop manipulation, harvest systems, postharvest processes, equipment evaluation, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Assist in developing project objectives, protocols, timelines, budgets, and data collection methodologies.
• Coordinate project execution with farm managers, operational teams, vendors, consultants, researchers, and technology providers.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including proposals, approvals, data collection standards, reporting structures, progress summaries, and expense tracking.
• Monitor project timelines, deliverables, operational execution, and overall project performance.
• Present quarterly project updates, findings, and expense summaries to management. Continuous Improvement, Education & Innovation
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement, emerging technologies, and new research initiatives across company operations.
• Attend educational programs, conferences, field days, and industry events to remain current on industry trends, production practices, and agricultural innovations.
• Evaluate and propose new research opportunities, technologies, production practices, and variety trials aligned with company operational goals and strategic initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement of research processes, documentation standards, reporting systems, and operational workflows. Additional Responsibilities
• Assist with training and communication related to research projects and trial procedures.
• Support management with special projects and operational initiatives as assigned.
• Perform additional tasks, projects, duties, and responsibilities as assigned by management.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

:

• Experience with commercial citrus, kiwi, table grape, or permanent crop production systems preferred.
• Experience coordinating agricultural research trials, variety evaluations, or field experimentation preferred.
• Strong understanding of farming operations, crop production timing, and agricultural data collection.
• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, horticulture, plant science, agricultural systems management, agricultural business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience organizing and presenting technical or operational data.
• Experience working with breeders, researchers, consultants, or agricultural technology providers preferred.
• Strong computer skills including: o Microsoft Excel o Microsoft Office Suite o Data management systems o GIS and mapping platforms preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIIES

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and timelines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively between field operations, researchers, breeders, consultants, and management teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize and interpret operational and research data.
• Comfortable working in both office and field environments.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt within a fast-paced agricultural operation.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, reporting systems, and operational software platforms.

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

In person