Turf Breeder, NA

DLF North America is currently recruiting for a Turf Breeder, NA for our operation located in West Salem, Wisconsin.

DLF Group is the world leader in the development and sale of high-quality grass seeds for the agricultural and (professional) lawn market. By continuously developing new innovative varieties and products, and with a strong focus on quality and reliability, DLF Group offers demonstrable value to the business of their customers and other relationships.

DLF North America SBU, is one of our four Strategic Business Units. DLF employees are characterized by a high level of competency, passion, and commitment. In everything we do we act with respect, trust and integrity.

Come grow with DLF!  Join a winning team!

Check us out www.dlf.com (Global) & www.us.dlf.com (USA) & www.ca.dlf.com (CA) & visit our careers page at careers.dlf.com.

About the job

The Turfgrass Breeder is responsible for all activities related to turf breeding in North America, from sourcing breeding material, trial planning, data collection & analysis to application of candidates. The DLF turf breeding locations are West Salem, WI and Touchet, WA. Trials are conducted in West Salem and Berry, KY, as well as other external trial locations. Seed yield trials are conducted primarily in Oregon. DLF currently has active turf breeding programs in North America in multiple species, including perennial ryegrass, tall & fine fescues, kentucky bluegrass and to a lesser extent activities in bent grasses, warm season and annual turf species.  

Work Location: R&D Breeding Station – West Salem, WI, USA.  (Touchet WA possible under special circumstances).  This position is expected to be on-site the majority of working hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Breeding responsibilities

• Together with the business, define the appropriate number of entries expected in each national evaluation cycle and adjust the focus and activities on species according to projected business needs.
• Scale program size in each species to deliver the expected number of candidates in national trials, including NTEP, A-list and European official testing.
• Bring breeding expertise to update breeding goals and priorities in collaboration with Product Management and Product Development.
• Main breeding objectives are: Turf quality, seed yield, resistance to most common pests and diseases, tolerance to most common abiotic stresses.
• Testing, maintenance & development of high endophyte populations in the relevant species.
• Secondary breeding objective are: performance under low fertility, chemical tolerance.
• Critically challenge the breeding program and drive it forward to success. 
• Develop and maintain DLFs proprietary germplasm pool as well as connect with third parties to obtain new germplasm where needed.
• Actively participate in monthly meetings with other DLF turf breeders and contribute with knowledge and expertise - recognize the turf breeding team is spread across time zones.

Tasks related to turf breeding

• Plan seed yield, turf and special trait trials in the appropriate company software.
• Collect trial data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations by appropriate means (paper, handheld computers, lightbox, UAVs).
• Plan and establish breeding nurseries from selections, varieties and populations of proprietary material as well as material from third party cooperators. Maintain breeding and pedigree history in the appropriate company software.
• Collect nursery data and supervise the collection of such in remote trial locations.
• Analyze trial and nursery data by use of statistical programs.
• Plan turf and seed yield trials in third party locations where appropriate and follow up on the data collection.
• Execute practical work in trials and nurseries (such as rogueing plants, fertilization, planting, harvest, seed handling etc.) to meet necessary quality standards but in amounts reasonable related to other activities.

Tasks related to product commercialization

• Prepare data sets for stage gate 3 meetings.
• Attending meetings with product management and development.
• Ensure official trial deadlines are met and seeds in the appropriate quantity and quality are available for testing.
• Plan and establish PVP nurseries and collect, respectively supervise, the collection of data in such nurseries.
• Ensure the accuracy of the documentation for variety applications and meet submission deadlines.
• Aid the transition from breeding to field production by liaising with the production department. 

Teams, people and resources

• Be an active member of the local team and positively contribute to the team spirit.
• Communicate the need for equipment and labor needed to deliver required results and quality standards to the trial excellence managers and head of breeding.
• Aid training full-time staff as well as casual employees when necessary.
• Partners with Product Management to ensure customers visiting trials receive a compelling message regarding our final products and breeding activities.
• Participate in field days and seed camps.

Travel activities and representation

• During the growing season, visit trial locations at the frequency needed to assure the amount and quality of the data needed. Visit nursery & seed multiplication locations to ensure necessary crop management, data collection and coordinate seed harvest as needed.
• Attending conferences and staying up to date on industry developments.
• Visit third party collaborators (i.e. Rutgers University) to obtain new germplasm for breeding.
• Representing DLF at meetings and industry events when beneficial and deliver presentations for technical sales meetings and other stakeholder engagements.
• Travel to conferences and DLF locations outside North America may occur infrequently.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related agricultural discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in plant breeding, with demonstrated success in cultivar development and advancement.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, breeding methodologies, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating breeding trials in field environments.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support breeding trials, research activities, and industry events.

Preferred:

• Minimum Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of plant breeding experience.
• Experience managing breeding programs across multiple geographic regions and environmental conditions.

Compensation and Benefits:

DLF USA Inc. offers a compensation plan that includes a base salary, benefits that include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plan with company contribution, paid holidays, vacation, and personal days. Compensation will be based on experience.

Why work for DLF?

We do good things! Grass is more than just a pretty sight – it helps fight climate change by trapping carbon and preventing soil erosion, making it a vital ally in preserving the environment. Grass acts as a natural filter, purifying water and improving air quality, while also providing essential habitats for diverse wildlife, showcasing its crucial role in supporting biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems. Grass feeds animals. Grass produces oxygen. Just a few reasons.... and many more! Check us out!

If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in joining our DLF team, please send your resume and cover letter highlighting your talent and why you fit this role to https://careers.dlf.com. Please choose this role under the North America careers.

We thank all applicants who apply for this position but advise only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. DLF is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request during the recruitment, assessment, selection, and placement process. Alternate format available upon request.