General information

All posting locations: Stockton, California, United States of America

Job Function: 06 - Manufacturing

Date Published: 06-Jun-2024

Ref #: R-83295

Description & Requirements

Job Purpose

HeinzSeed, a globally recognized world-class hybrid tomato seed company headquartered in Stockton, California, is seeking a summer Ag Research Intern from June 2024 to October 2024. Candidates must be adaptable, willing to put in “sweat equity,” and interested in the seed industry and how it forms the basis for the food and fiber supply chain. You will assist the HeinzSeed breeding and product development team in evaluating varieties and collecting data. You will work directly with Product Development, Research, Plant Pathologists, and our Research Farm and Greenhouse Operations to trial and evaluate new processing tomato varieties in preparation for the variety launch.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Assist the Product Development Manager with variety evaluation, collecting fruit samples for the quality lab, and data collection. You will occasionally collect pathology samples to complete tomato variety descriptions. All samples will be delivered to the assigned research station. This requires extensive driving (2 to 3+ hours) in a company vehicle between varietal trials throughout California, with occasional overnight stays at distant trial locations.
• Support maintenance of varietal tomato trials.
• Assist and coach seasonal labor with assigned tasks. Predominantly Spanish speaking.
• Interact with parent seed manager in parent seed production and seed quality assurance.
• Desire to understand and participate in the varietal development process.
• Desire to learn and master greenhouse plant management, sanitation, and pollination.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Actively pursuing a degree in plant science, plant pathology, or horticulture, or have an equivalent combination of education and field experience. 
• Knowledge and experience in plant health and disease diagnosis is highly desired.  
• Ability to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events. 
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently when needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, support requests from, and interact directly across all levels of the organization.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Professional fluency in English with strong written, verbal, and listening skills is a must; fluency in Spanish is highly desired.  
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet MVR requirements.