Job Title: Laboratory Director - Plant Tissue Culture and Operations
Department: Lab Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt Reports to: General Manager
Job Type: Regular Amount of Travel Required: None
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Positions Supervised: 2-5
Position Summary
Nourse Farms is a leading player in the plant propagation industry, known for our commitment to excellence in providing high-quality plant stock. We are embarking on an exciting expansion project that includes the construction of a state-of-the-art tissue culture lab with automation. This expansion will be instrumental in our future growth, and we are seeking an experienced Laboratory Director to play a pivotal role in developing the team, creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensuring the timely and successful operation of this cutting-edge facility, while overseeing our current lab. This role is also critical to our production planning efforts as we prepare for this significant development.
Primary Duties:
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
General Management and Lab Development:
· Oversee the development of the new tissue culture lab, including team building, support of recruitment, creation of SOPs, and setting up operational protocols.
· Provide training, organization, motivation, and encouragement for lab staff, collaborating with the Lab Manager to build a cohesive and skilled team.
· Manage inventory and procurement planning for necessary chemicals and supplies for the upcoming lab expansion.
· Be available to provide support for the development requirements associated with the new laboratory build project. Collaborate with greenhouse personnel and other team members to align the lab's operation with planting, acclimation, and growing schedules.
· Establish protocols to follow production through to the greenhouse, ensuring stock quality, quantity, and schedule adherence.
· Foster coordination with other department managers through regular meetings and strategy sessions, contributing to production planning efforts.
· Supervise various tasks related to lab development and construction as needed to ensure the successful establishment of the new facility.
· Ensure continued support and connection of current lab facility and team as new lab comes online.
PCR Lab and Micropropagation Lab:
· Oversee the PCR Lab and Micropropagation Lab, setting up equipment and protocols.
· Collaborate with technicians to develop and maintain efficient and high-quality processes in both labs.
· Ensure proper media preparation, pouring, autoclaving, and lab maintenance procedures are documented, followed and established.
· Work on scheduling and supervision of lab propagation (transferring) to meet future sales goals.
· Initiate new growth room cultures, maintain inventory, and establish procedures for regular meristem initiation.
New Varieties/Trials:
· Prepare for the integration of trial varieties of strawberries and raspberries into the lab as it moves from quarantine to post -quarantine-readiness.
· Collaborate with the PCR Lab to document and establish screening and virus indexing processes.
· Provide feedback and assessments of new varieties to Director of Production and other managers.
· Plan and execute the pruning and maintenance of new plants in the stock house, aligning with production planning requirements.
Qualifications:
· Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, plant pathology or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Experience: 10 years of experience in a plant tissue culture lab, supervisory or management position with proven ability to manage, develop and mentor staff.
· Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office
· Stellar organizational and communication skills.
· Ability to thrive in a dynamic agricultural setting with shifting priorities.
· Problem-solving prowess, especially when under pressure.
· Resource Management (People & Equipment) - Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
· May perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $118,407.00 - $130,106.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person