Culture Research Manager

BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY•Elburn, IL

8h•$100,000 - $135,000

About The Position

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.

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

Responsibilities

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.