Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed

Job Title Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Research Director Management Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Vernon, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Position Description Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Vernon, Texas Position Overview Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks a dynamic, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed. Located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon, the Director provides statewide leadership and strategic, operational, fiscal, and personnel oversight for the Foundation Seed program. This position is separate from the Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon.  The Director supports AgriLife Research plant breeding programs by leading production, quality assurance, commercialization, marketing, and distribution of genetically pure, high-quality seed of publicly developed varieties. The Director works closely with AgriLife Research faculty, Texas A&M Innovation, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, seed producers, licensees, commodity organizations, and other stakeholders to facilitate variety release, licensing, market adoption, and sustainable program growth. The position advances the land-grant mission by helping move improved, well-adapted varieties from research programs into agricultural production for the benefit of Texas agriculture and beyond. Position Responsibilities Provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed, including development and implementation of strategic and business plans.  Oversee foundation seed production and related operations, including production planning, planting, field inspection and rogueing, harvesting, conditioning, storage, inventory management, and distribution.  Ensure effective quality assurance and quality control, including testing seed lots for viability, vigor, genetic purity, seed health, and other applicable quality standards.  Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, seed certification standards, licensing requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable Texas A&M University System and AgriLife Research policies and procedures.  Collaborate with AgriLife Research plant breeders and Texas A&M Innovation to support variety evaluation, release, intellectual property protection, licensing, commercialization, and deployment.  Develop and maintain effective relationships with seed producers, licensees, seed companies, commodity organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders.  Lead market development, marketing, communications, and distribution strategies that expand the reach and impact of AgriLife-developed varieties and support sustainable program growth.  Manage the unit’s financial operations, including budget development and oversight, revenue generation, cost recovery, cost containment, financial forecasting, and reporting.  Identify opportunities to strengthen the program’s business model, revenue, expand partnerships, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining service to public plant breeding programs.  Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate Foundation Seed personnel and foster a culture of safety, accountability, service, teamwork, and operational excellence.  Oversee facilities, land, equipment, information systems, and capital improvement needs associated with seed production, processing, storage, and distribution.  Coordinate with AgriLife Research leadership and the Vernon Center Director on shared facilities, personnel, resources, safety, and other site-based administrative matters.  Represent Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed in institutional meetings, professional organizations, industry events, producer meetings, outreach activities, and stakeholder engagements.  Perform other duties necessary to advance the mission and effectiveness of Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed.  Administrative Relationships Reports to the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research or the Director’s designee.  Works collaboratively with AgriLife Research faculty and leadership statewide; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists and agents; the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon; Texas A&M Innovation and related commercialization offices; seed producers, licensees, and industry partners; commodity organizations; and other public and private stakeholders.  Operational oversight, budgeting, personnel management, and performance evaluation will be conducted in accordance with agency policies and leadership direction. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, seed science, plant science, crop science, agricultural business, business administration, or a related field.  Ten years of related experience. Demonstrated professional experience in seed production, seed operations, agricultural operations, variety commercialization, or a closely related field.  Demonstrated experience supervising personnel and managing budgets, business operations, programs, or organizational units.  Working knowledge of seed production systems, seed quality management, certification standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.  Demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists, producers, industry partners, licensees, and other internal and external stakeholders.  Strong leadership, organizational, financial management, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.  Ability to obtain and maintain any driver’s license required for assigned job duties.  Ability to obtain and maintain the pesticide applicator license, categories, and endorsements required for assigned job duties.  Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree in agronomy, seed science, plant science, crop science, ag