Agricultural Science Technician

PepsiCo • Rhinelander, WI

5h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Agricultural Science function within PepsiCo Foods R&D and will report to the Variety Trialing Lead on site at Rhinelander, WI.
PepsiCo is a major food enterprise sourcing a variety of raw materials of agricultural origin such as tuber, grain, and fruit & vegetable crops around the world. A creative, results-oriented trialing technician is required to execute phenotyping & trialing activities primarily across potatoes with potential of expansion to other crops at the PepsiCo Ag Science facility in Rhinelander, WI.
This trialing technician is responsible for assisting the trialing programs, leading phenotyping assessments, and working within the trialing programs to drive the improvement of raw agriculture materials important to PepsiCo. This position will work closely with existing trial leads to execute trialing & phenotyping operations as set by the manager but is also expected to make independent decisions in order to meet project objectives. Trialing & phenotyping operations are at on-site fields, off-site fields, material grading facility, and sample processing labs. The technician will also contribute to broader oat & potato breeding activities, on-site crop operations, and related team projects including field work and field/greenhouse planting & harvest operations.

Requirements

• This position will be based at PepsiCo Ag Science facility in Rhinelander, WI
• Must be willing to travel 10-15% of the time primarily in North America, by land or air.
• Must be able to operate in hot/cold and wet/dry environments such as greenhouses and crop fields to work with plants, soil, and agricultural/science equipment, and to lift safely up to 50 LBS of weight.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an active breeding/trialing program, agriculture, data analysis, or inventory tracking is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.
• Ability to utilize basic software tools (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, etc.) and input or query data from relational databases.
• Attention to details and accurate record keeping.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance the need to deliver on time, on target, within resources, and with expected quality and quantity.
• Ability to receive license for PIT/Forklift Operator

Responsibilities

• Work with trialing leads and technicians in planning, preparation, and execution of planting, harvest, and data collection of on-site and off-site field trials.
• Work with trialing leads and technicians to phenotype varieties in the field and at the phenotyping facility. This includes in-season phenotyping in the field, performing field inspections, raw potato grading at harvest, fresh & storage chip frying, and processing traits.
• Operation of lab processing equipment including fryers, peelers, grading line, specific gravity, colorimeter, sugar analysis, and computers.
• Work with trialing leads to support trial & field activities including pulling seed, seed cutting, planting, sample pulling, organizing, harvest, etc.
• Ensure timely receipt, accurate data entry, and organization of trial & phenotyping results.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and promptly report challenges with trial, field, and phenotype facility operations while proactively identifying potential solutions.
• Communicate needs and coordinate labor with manager and team.
• Adapt to unexpected delays and changes in workflows to maintain overall productivity.
• Comply with local EHS requirements including completing all assigned trainings and leading a Safety Program.
• Support future research crops, objectives, and activities.

Benefits

• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed