Plant Science Program Manager

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Plant Science Program Manager in one of the following locations:

Global HQ in Hunt Valley, MD

MKC office in Cayman Islands

Potential for fully-remote work arrangement

What We Bring To The Table:

The best people deserve the best rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a global leader (401k, health insurance, paid time off, etc.) we also offer:

• Competitive compensation

• Career growth opportunities

• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices

• Wellbeing programs including Physical, Mental and Financial wellness

• Tuition assistance

POSITION OVERVIEW

Incumbent will lead the global agricultural innovation initiatives by advancing McCormick’s plant science, enabling value chain transformation, and supporting regenerative growth in compliant farming systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead Agricultural research & Innovation: drive and define the plant innovation strategy including, leading to radical innovation strategies for growth.

• Coordinate regional Agricultural projects and own a global strategy for ag support
• Provide technical support to McCormick strategic Ag portfolio transformation including alternate growing strategies, Grow-Your-Own initiatives…etc.
• Provide technical support to validate agricultural innovations that could be adopted in McCormick’s supply chains including Regenerative Agriculture, Climate and Pest resilience …
• Leverage technology to drive optimization and transformation (big data, internet of things, Artificial Intelligence)
• Champion seed selection, plant breeding and physiology initiatives for advantage
• Identify and mobilize research partners (universities, science institutes, etc.)
• Seek external funds

Coordinate Technical support to growing partners to enable successful and sustainable production.

• Own a global approach on Regenerative agriculture, leverage internal and external network to deliver.
• Analyze and make recommendations for improved farm models e.g. quality improvement, farm efficiency, yield improvement and Foster Precision agriculture, mechanization, use of technology.
• Provide Agronomic support and advise McCormick’s teams, Farmer Support Programs and Business partners

Define processes for pesticides’ recommendations and Maximum Residues Limits (MRL) management

• Develop MRLs management and avoidance strategies
• Analyze farm Data and Vendor Questionnaires to determine which problematic crop protection chemicals are used and why.  Researching alternative products or natural agricultural methods e.g. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and designing programs to improve compliance
• Provide scientific support to McCormick Regulatory teams efforts to lobby for MRLs for herbs and spices

Communication

• Researching and designing future Ag Transformative strategies
• Elevate internally the ag agenda
• Publication of findings if relevant

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree (Bsc) in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Plant Physiology, Soil Science, or a closely related discipline is required.
• 10 years’(half in private sector) experience articulating vision, creating strategies and managing enterprise projects, data analysis. A passion for plants with experience in plant genealogy, breeding, controlled environment agriculture, horticulture or plant science
• Hands-on experience in mainstream agricultural production
• Experience of improving crop production methods in a developing region of the world required
• Experience in developing backward integration/contract farming programs as well as the ability to identify and start up new growing regions/origins in developing countries required
• Experience in leading major innovative agricultural projects with market outreach 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English will be required to enable effective communication up, down, and across the organization
• Solid organizational skills, including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Project.
• Project administration and management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree (MSc, PhD) in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Plant Physiology, Soil Science, or a closely related discipline
• 5+ years’ experience in relevant field Research (postdoctoral research counts as work experience)
• Experience in molecular biology (eg..DNA characterization, CRISPR technology adoption)
• 2+ years in the food industry preferred
• Experience in ag project management at field level
• Experience with characterization of plants, including imaging, phenotyping, chemical analysis, and/or objective measurements of taste and texture

#LI-CG1

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future. 

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Base Salary: $ 100,870 - 176,480

Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan. In addition to a competitive compensation package, permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include:

- Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits

- Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support

- Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans