Breeding Technician

$50,600 - $75,950/Yr

PepsiCo - Rhinelander, WI

Full-time - Entry Level

Rhinelander, WI

Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing

About the position

The breeding technician role at PepsiCo involves executing breeding activities primarily for potatoes and oats, with potential expansion to other crops. This position is crucial for assisting breeding programs, leading projects, and driving the improvement of raw agricultural materials. The technician will work closely with assistant breeders and is expected to make independent decisions to meet project objectives, while ensuring compliance with local EHS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Work with potato and oat breeders, assistant breeders, and other technicians in greenhouses, fields, and phenotyping facilities.
• Phenotype breeding trials in the field and at the phenotyping facility, including in-season phenotyping, oats milling, and raw potato grading.
• Support field activities such as pulling seed, planting, transplanting, and organizing samples.
• Ensure accurate records are taken and entered in a timely manner.
• Support greenhouse and growth room operations including crop maintenance, pathogen testing, and inventory management.
• Capture and upload data to PepsiCo's databases, ensuring quality standards are met.
• Utilize barcoding and inventory software to track and store seed and plant samples.
• Monitor and troubleshoot breeding operations, identifying potential solutions.
• Continuously seek opportunities for improving efficiency and quality in breeding operations.
• Adapt to unexpected delays and changes in workflows.

Requirements

• BS preferred in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Agronomy, Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, or related discipline.
• Relevant experience in breeding/genetics programs, agriculture, leading teams, data analysis, or inventory tracking is preferred.
• Attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to organize projects, lead teams, and drive for results.
• Experience in collecting and curating data from plants for consistency and quality.
• Ability to manage activities within assigned resources and budgets.
• Excellent communication and networking skills with local and remote teams.
• Proficiency in basic software and communication technologies such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Webex, and Outlook.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues with flexibility and comfort with change.
• Ability to balance the need to deliver on time, on target, and with expected quality.

Benefits

• Paid time off including parental leave, vacation, sick leave, and bereavement.
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Health Reimbursement Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Insurance options including Accident, Group Legal, and Life insurance.
• Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.