Fall Creek is creating a world with better blueberries through its friendly, collaborative team spread across the globe. To help us accomplish this, we are seeking a qualified Research Coordinator. This position will be located in Lowell, OR.
The Fall Creek Research Coordinator is responsible for coordination of the global R&D trial plant production and distribution process that is critical to the rapid, targeted commercialization of superior new blueberry varieties. This position collaborates closely with all Breeding and Applied Research Managers; tissue culture labs; Clean Stock, Foundation Plant, and Planning teams; and regional production, shipping, and logistics teams. This position reports to the R&D Project Manager and collaborates closely with the Breed and Grow teams internationally.
What you'll do at Fall Creek:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Other duties may be assigned)
1. Coordination of tissue culture plant production for global trialing activities
- Responsible for placing all global R&D tissue culture orders for pre-commercial trial plant production in all regions
- Assures all orders are placed in a timely manner to best support tissue culture lab operations, nursery operations, and variety development needs
- Close monitoring and coordination of real-time tissue culture inventories of pre-commercial breeding selections to meet demand for trialing needs and advancement timelines
- Routine monitoring of action requests and issues regarding tissue culture lab hold limits, timelines, and lab activities such as meristemming, pre-breeding, and initiations.
2. Coordination of trial plant nursery production for global trialing activities
- Track trial plant production and distribution from all nursery locations in close collaboration with the appropriate regional Breeding Managers, Applied Research Leads, and production associates.
- Monitor and assist where needed in management of NPR plants for global trials
- Proactively evaluate and coordinate intra-company plant shipment opportunities to support global trialing efforts.
3. Coordination of foundation plant establishment, DNA and pathogen testing, tissue culture initiation, and movement of tissue culture between network labs to support short- and long-term plant production needs
- Requires strong awareness of global export requirements and variety development strategic priorities
- Regular communication with global and regional clean stock teams to ensure alignment on inter-departmental strategy
- Regular evaluation of current processes to identify opportunities for improvement in speed, efficiency, and/or risk management.
4. Responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of reports regarding the status of lab inventories, nursery inventories, stage advancement timelines, shipping timelines and trial site inventories.
5. Regular reporting of high-level activities related to the above responsibilities to the Breed Department Managers, Product Management team, and Clean Stock teams.
6. Assists the regional breeding program technicians with supporting operational duties as time allows.
7. Assures the highest level of confidentiality on sensitive matters concerning the nursery.
What you bring to Fall Creek:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field with demonstrable relevance to the duties listed; 2+ years’ experience in horticultural research, plant production, or global manufacturing and distribution in any industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Solid knowledge and experience working with Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to provide detailed reporting using Excel spreadsheets.
- Strong alpha-numeric data entry skills. General database knowledge and experience.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills to present and exchange information and report daily activities in person and in reports.
- A proactive approach with the ability to communicate on all levels, transmitting information to different audiences and serving distinct purposes.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize work within established guidelines and follow through on a variety of requests.
- Ability to identify problems as well as manage multiple projects.
- Ability to work with and manage a high level of detailed information.
- Ability to collaborate with other team members and maintain a positive attitude. Must be able to exercise good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
- Regular and reliable attendance at the primary place of business.
- Ability to work modified hours as needed to support teams across multiple time zones.
- Must demonstrate professional and ethical business practices, adherence to company values, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
Who is Fall Creek?
We’re a US-based company with a keen focus on blueberry genetics, plants, and grower support delivered to the world’s premier blueberry growers. From our humble beginnings in Lowell, Oregon more than 40 years ago, we now also have wholly-owned nurseries in Mexico, Peru, Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, Chile, China, and expanding nurseries in North Africa and Eastern Europe. Additionally, we have built a global team of the finest breeders, researchers, propagators and nursery professionals, grower support technicians, sales and customer service experts and more. We’re a deeply-planted link in a global chain, ready to serve our customers and our industry throughout North, Central, and South America, Greater Europe, Asia and Africa. Our mission is to serve the growers and to support the blueberry industry, helping to ensure growers maximize success through our delivery of the best genetics and plants, technical know-how and global market intelligence. To fulfill our mission, we focus on cultivating exceptional plants, building strong relationships and providing responsive customer service. This is all part of how we’re helping to build A World with Better Blueberries™.
Fall Creek Farm & Nursery® offers a competitive salary and benefit package which includes health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and 401K plan. . EOE
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to perform the essential duties of the position for which you are applying?
- Are you at least 18 years of age?
- What are your salary requirements?
Work Location: In person
