Area Production Manager – Vegetable Seeds

About the role

Join BASF’s Agricultural Solutions team as an Area Production Manager for vegetable seeds, overseeing production at the Parma, Idaho site and the Holtville, California location. You will be responsible for ensuring seed orders are fulfilled on time, with the required quantity and quality, while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Key responsibilities

• Execute the production plan to meet seed volume targets.
• Advise on the producibility of new varieties and recommend optimal production locations.
• Maintain and optimize production infrastructure, including company sites and contracted growers.
• Manage acceptance and rejection of supplier lots in coordination with Global Production and QA.
• Implement and monitor crop‑management SOPs for internal teams and third‑party growers.
• Build and manage a reliable grower network, negotiate contracts, and ensure genetic purity through field supervision.
• Collect production data, produce monthly reports, and recommend process improvements.
• Lead site operations covering EHS, audits, training, and Management of Change.
• Oversee departmental resources such as staffing, training, equipment, and budget (CAPEX/OPEX/headcount).

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in seed production, preferably with biennial seeds.
• Proven people‑leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of vegetable seed crops and local growing practices.
• Familiarity with production research and field plot techniques is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically, with peak travel during the harvest season.

Required skills

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel

What we offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Relocation assistance where applicable.
• Opportunities to contribute to sustainable agriculture initiatives.
• Access to BASF’s global resources and development programs.