Berry Technical Manager - Americas (Breeding Manager)

Role Overview

This position entails leading the technical direction, oversight, and management of VentureFruit's berry testing, evaluation, breeding collaborations, and early commercialization efforts throughout North, Central, and South America. It requires combining expertise in commercial blueberry and Rubus farming with disciplined program and trial management to develop evaluations, analyze results, and provide high-quality recommendations supporting breeding objectives and commercialization decisions.

Reporting directly to the Head of Operations – Americas and with a dotted line to the Global Variety Development Manager – Berries, this role collaborates closely with teams across breeding, quality, operations, and commercial areas.

Primary Duties

• Own and manage the entire technical and operational program for berry trials and early commercialization initiatives across the Americas region.
• Develop clear regional plans, milestones, and deliverables based on global berry and breeding strategies to advance selections from trials to commercial readiness.
• Coordinate operations of multi-location, multi-partner programs including pilot commercial launches aligned with VentureFruit’s goals and timelines.
• Design and supervise field trials assessing new and advanced berry varieties focused on agronomic performance, fruit quality, and post-harvest characteristics.
• Manage the logistics of plant materials for trials, including planning, distribution, tracking, propagation coordination, movement, and compliance with internal and external partners.
• Ensure uniform data collection practices across all sites.
• Analyze trial data and present clear, actionable technical recommendations to breeding and commercialization stakeholders.
• Act as the regional technical liaison with berry breeding partners to align breeding goals with regional testing priorities and selection advancement.
• Support breeding-related workflows such as material intake, trial progression, and advancement criteria emphasizing operational feasibility and validation of regional performance.
• Maintain consistent application of evaluation standards and data requirements through all trial phases and pre-commercial pilots.
• Oversee movement, establishment, and evaluation of breeding materials following biosecurity, intellectual property, and material transfer protocols.
• Provide structured technical feedback during annual and multi-year breeding program reviews and go/no-go decisions.
• Lead regional breeding project management, coordinating Americas’ contributions to global breeding efforts.
• Assist the Global Variety Development Manager in managing global breeding initiatives via project management support.
• Produce technical reports including seasonal summaries, comparative analyses, and recommendations for advancement.
• Ensure data integrity, traceability, and timely delivery of insights.
• Support bi-annual and ad hoc decision meetings with evidence-based advice.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for growers, trial partners, quality control teams, and service providers.
• Develop and maintain strong industry relationships to support trial implementation and future commercial opportunities.
• Contribute to intellectual property protection through accurate documentation, compliance, and adherence to technical standards, standard operating procedures, and operational best practices.
• Lead and model exemplary health and safety practices.
• Implement company health and safety policies, focusing on accident and hazard reduction and ensuring all incidents are properly recorded in the company Health & Safety system.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in commercial berry production, technical agronomy, variety testing, or related breeding programs.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-location programs involving various stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with ease working across different regions and cultures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial berry production and scientific methods including trial design, data analysis, and evidence-based technical decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively in dynamic, matrixed environments with competing priorities and evolving program requirements.
• Understanding of post-harvest impacts on fruit quality.
• Familiarity with the export industry and international trade considerations.
• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Solid commercial acumen.
• Technical expertise in propagation and best cultivation practices for selected Plant Variety Rights-protected varieties.

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing plant material logistics including planning, tracking, movement, and compliance across multiple sites.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is between USD 100,000 and 150,000 annually. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; eligibility for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); participation in 401(k) with 3% company contributions; four weeks of paid vacation per year; and five days of paid sick leave annually.

Additional Information

Applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Employment offers are contingent on satisfactory security checks. The company values diversity and inclusion, fostering a workplace where all individuals are accepted, respected, and encouraged to thrive regardless of differences.