Seed Quality Testing Lead

Ball Horticultural Company is seeking an experienced Seed or Plant Physiologist to lead the development, validation, and continuous improvement of seed testing methodologies and performance diagnostics across our global operations.

Job Type: Full-time

• Lead the design, validation, and continuous improvement of seed testing methodologies, including germination, purity, vigor, stress tolerance, emergence, and predictive performance assays.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies such as AI-driven imaging, automation, digital phenotyping, and advanced analytics.
• Develop global standards for testing protocols, interpretation of results, and reproducibility across locations.
• Ensure testing methodologies align with Ball's quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with key customers and external stakeholders to validate methodologies and performance outcomes.

• Provide technical oversight for seed testing operations across Ball's global testing network.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and capabilities support consistent and reliable execution of testing protocols.
• Review, improve, and maintain testing procedures, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Train and develop technical staff on best practices in seed evaluation, growing culture, scouting, and identification of abnormal or inconsistent performance.

• Build strong partnerships with Product Management, Field Technical Teams, and strategic customers.
• Translate customer feedback and field observations into actionable testing improvements and product enhancements.
• Collaborate closely with Seed Technology, Pathology, Diagnostics, Production Research, and Operations teams.
• Support data-driven decision-making and the adoption of new technologies in delivering cross-functional project goals.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in evaluating and resolving seed quality claims.
• Support Sales, Customer Service, and Technical teams by diagnosing issues, communicating findings, and recommending solutions that improve customer success.
• Establish feedback systems that capture real-world performance data and incorporate findings into product and process improvements.
• Coordinate targeted research projects to address emerging performance challenges and support new product development.

• Monitor and evaluate commercial seed inventory quality and performance trends.
• Utilize predictive analytics to identify anomalies, assess risk, and guide decision-making regarding lot quality and release.
• Develop tools and processes that improve forecasting of seed performance under commercial growing conditions.
• Advance the integration of automated data collection, digital evaluation systems, and performance analytics across the seed testing platform.

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Seed Science, Seed Physiology, Plant Physiology, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, or a closely related discipline.
• Candidates with a Plant Pathology background should possess significant seed quality, seed health, or seed physiology experience.
• Applied research experience in seed quality, seed enhancement technologies, post-harvest handling, or seed performance evaluation is strongly preferred.

• 8–15+ years of progressive experience in seed physiology, seed technology, seed quality research, or related scientific disciplines.
• Demonstrated success developing, validating, and interpreting seed testing methodologies and performance assessments.
• Proven experience improving seed germination, vigor, emergence, and stand establishment through scientific investigation and applied research.
• Experience translating research findings into operational improvements, quality systems, and commercial outcomes.
• Experience with horticultural crops, vegetable seeds, ornamental crops, or other high-value seed systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience working within cross-functional environments, partnering with research, production, quality, operations, and commercial teams.