Wyffels Hybrids, headquartered in Geneseo, Ill., is one of the nation’s largest independent seed corn companies. Focusing strictly on developing and marketing elite corn hybrids, the company is dedicated to providing corn growers in Illinois, Iowa, Southern Wisconsin, Southwestern Minnesota, Southeastern South Dakota and the Ohio River Valley with exceptional products, the latest agronomic information, and unmatched customer service and product support.

Overall management of daily operations for the Wyffels Hybrids Research Yield Trial Operations team. This involves organizing, prioritizing, and assigning projects to the Team. The Yield Trial Operations Manager will be responsible for workforce planning, purchasing of supplies, and management of the yield trial Research fields. Successful implementation will require ability in: communicating and interacting with the Research Team; organizing multiple tasks; supervising various levels of job responsibilities, and maintaining good records.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Operations Management

• Plan and regularly observe fieldwork activities
• Coordinate all yield trial activities throughout the growing season.
• Monitor and create proposals for the integration of technologies that could enhance the efficiency and/or quality of yield trial operations.
• Measure both the quantity and quality of work completed by yield trial operations and prepare an annual report for the directors review prior to the end of each calendar year.
• Secure land leases for all yield trials. Visit and approve all new locations prior to securing the site.
• Visit each crew while they are on the road during planting and harvest to observe, assist, encourage and provide coaching; ensuring that over the course of each season at least one day was spent with each crew on the road.
• Visit all research plot sites during the growing season between emergence and pollination and provide status updates and feedback to Director and Technicians.
• Review, update, maintain and follow department protocols. Notify management of any changes in protocol.
• Complete assigned responsibilities within time, budget and scope of project.

Team Management

• Execute accurate and timely workforce planning, including the recruitment, onboarding and scheduling of employees, to align the needs and priorities of the department with those of its employees to ensure it meets objectives.
• Ensure all Yield Trial Operations employees understand their responsibilities and goals to meet department objectives.
• Lead recap and discussion meetings with the team at the end of each season to discuss accomplishments and future improvements.
• Team Engagement and Development
• Provide clear expectations, and timely feedback of performance to direct reports.
• Develop and maintain a safety culture within the department.
• Identify and provide resources for employees career development.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate with coworkers and vendors by providing clear, accurate, and timely communication.
• Initiate and manage relationships with external vendors and collaborators to bring additional technology to Wyffels yield trial operations.
• Identify and communicate critical and significant issues regarding operations and personnel with Director.
• Be available and equipped to respond to team members' needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• In-depth working knowledge of seed research activities and planning.
• Knowledge of research yield trial, nursery and lab practices.
• Proven ability to manage and plan yield trial operations.
• Proven ability to manage daily yield trial activities, personnel and budget.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail - Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S Degree in Agronomy or closely related field, plus five years of experience working specifically with all aspects of a corn breeding program; or
• High School Diploma plus fifteen years of experience working with all aspects of a corn breeding program.
• Valid Commercial Drivers License.
• Certified Crop Advisor certification preferred.