Greenhouse and Field Trial Manager

MBG Marketing is a producer-owned berry growing and marketing cooperative formed in 1936 with member blueberry and blackberry growers now located in Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey and British Columbia. Growers for all year-round production. MBG proudly owns and operates its own blueberry breeding program, Berry Blue, LLC, utilizing the largest base of blueberry plant genetics anywhere, to offer MBG s growers and customers superior blueberry varieties that not only meet the discerning tastes of blueberry consumers, but provide growers with high-quality, high-yielding plants to grow farm profitability.

The Northern Highbush Greenhouse and Field Trial Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and management of Northern Highbush plant growth facilities, in-house seedling block/trial sites and experimental farms, maintaining the program s germplasm, coordinating advanced and pre-commercial trials in various locations in the US, and assisting with research and development activities. You will travel to the locations in New Jersey, British Columbia, Washington, Georgia. This role reports directly to the Director of Berry Blue and will manage a team at the Georgia site and Michigan Site.

Responsibilities:
Plant Growth Facilities and Trial Sites
•   Manage in-house and remote greenhouse facilities to ensure optimal environmental conditions associated with breeding activities
•   Supervise management and growth of plants in the seedling room, greenhouse and other plant growth facilities
•   Maintain breeding germplasm
•   Develop and implement greenhouse and trial sites protocols
•   Perform greenhouse maintenance
•   Oversee in-house trial site maintenance, including renovation of existing blocks and planting new selections
•   Partner with horticulture to identify suitable trial locations, coordinate propagation and planting of selections, and monitor seedling blocks, advanced and pre-commercial trials
•   Responsible for field sample and data collection, and trial documentation
•   Assist with the selection process of cultivars for commercial release
•   Assist with or coordinate technical and marketing activities such as field days, site visits, grower meetings, and demonstration trials
•   Manage procurement of greenhouse and trial site supplies
•   Prepare and submit the operating and capital budget
•   Ensure proper operation and safety inspections of all machinery and systems in the greenhouse, in-house trial sites, and in remote locations as specified
•   Maintain compliance with all Federal/State employment, worker protection, pesticide, and agricultural regulations and provide safety training to staff
Research and Development Support/Collaboration
•   Work with the breeding team to conduct pollen collection and controlled crosses, collect seeds and grow hybrid seedlings
•   Collaborate on the evaluation of horticultural and marketable characteristics of new blueberry genetics, including postharvest quality
•   Assist with greenhouse and field experiments
•   Prepare and present reports and summaries Qualifications and Skills Required
•   Bachelor s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Biology, or a plant science discipline and at least five years of experience in fruit or vegetable farm, blueberry or berry, nursery and/or greenhouse is preferred
•   Strong managerial experience and research related activities
•   The ability to operate and repair tractors, sprayers, and irrigation equipment is preferred
•   Knowledge in plant propagation, irrigation systems, plant disease and pest control and nursery container production is highly desirable
•   Computer literacy with Microsoft Office suite is required, greenhouse management software is preferred
•   Valid Michigan Driver s License and Commercial Michigan Pesticide Applicator License within 60 days of hire
Physical Demand (With or without accommodations)
•   Overtime, weekend and holiday work will be required
•   Travel to multiple trial locations across the US is required
•   Ability to work in all weather conditions and can lift and carry up to 50 pounds . Date posted: 05/16/2025