Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Culture Research Manager with strong expertise in plant physiology and floriculture crop production research to join our global organization. This role provides leadership for culture research program focused on developing commercial crop culture for existing and newly developed varieties.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional research initiatives in collaboration with Culture Research, Product Management, Technical Services, Sales, and Marketing teams. This position blends strategic planning, people leadership, hands-on research, and output communication, translating scientific innovation into practical, scalable solutions that deliver commercial and grower value worldwide.

Ball Horticultural Company’s mission is to Color The World. We do this by developing, producing, and selling flowers and plants around the globe.

The primary responsibilities of the role are

• Develop and implement culture research strategies aligned with organizational, product management, and commercial goals.
• Design, lead, and execute research projects from concept through completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and resource plans.
• Ensure high standards of data quality, integrity, and analytical rigor across all research activities.
• Facilitate the transfer of research outcomes into commercial applications and real-world grower environments.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a collaborative culture research team, fostering innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage direct reports by assigning responsibilities, providing coaching, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive research environment that supports professional growth and knowledge sharing.
• Deliver clear, concise, and comprehensive project reports and presentations to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Develop innovative communication strategies to ensure research outcomes are easily understood and adopted by diverse global audiences.
• Gain firsthand insight into real-world crop production challenges through customer visits while delivering practical research findings and solutions.
• Represent the organization at conferences, customer visits, and industry events to share insights and advancements.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant industry research experience, including leadership of complex research projects.
• Ability to travel 25% of time both domestic and internationally.
• Proven ability to communicate with all levels of an organization and demonstrated organization and follow-through skills.
• Self- motivated with ability to work as part of a team.
• Builds strong partnerships and collaborates effectively with others to achieve common goals
• Demonstrates accountability by honoring commitments and ensuring follow-through from others
• Communicates effectively across a range of settings, including individual conversations, team meetings, and diverse audiences at all levels
• Brings forward innovative ideas and approaches that support organizational success
• Organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines and align with business objectives

Salary Range: $100,000 to $135,000

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to Lift/Carry 25 lbs 10% of the day
• Ability to push/pull 50 lbs 10% of the day
• Ability to sit/stand 80% of the day
• Ability to kneel/bend 10% of the day
• Ability to reach 10% of the day
• Ability to climb/balance 10% of the day
• Ability to use hands/fingers 80% of the day
• Ability to work in hot and humid environmental conditions for 80% of the day

Our promise to you:

We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

• Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
• 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
• Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs