TC Lab Manager at Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Richland, WA

Fall Creek is creating a world with better blueberries through its friendly, collaborative team spread across the globe. To help us accomplish this, we are seeking a qualified TC Lab Manager This position will be located in Aznalcazar (Sevilla).

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Tissue Culture (TC) Lab Manager oversees daily operations of the laboratory, ensuring production targets are met on time, within budget, and at the highest quality standards. This leadership role manages a team of supervisors, technicians, and assistants, driving staff development, performance, and a safe, compliant, and collaborative work environment. The manager is responsible for budgeting, equipment maintenance, and resource planning while fostering cross-functional collaboration with operations, logistics, breeding, planning, research, and QC. Success in this role is measured by delivery of high-quality products, process optimization, and efficient use of resources to support organizational goals and innovation.

ORGANIZATIONAL FIT:

In this role, you’ll report to the Tissue Culture Motherstock Manager and supervise our lab team. You’ll also work closely with other departments in the Seville Nursery and abroad, and collaborate with external consultants, researchers, lab partners, and vendors.

JOB SETTING:

This position is based in both the office and the lab. Travel is usually about once a year, sometimes internationally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Laboratory Operations – Oversee daily TC lab activities, ensuring smooth production, adherence to SOPs, compliance with quarantine regulations, and successful distribution of products to global sites.

2. Team Leadership & Development – Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, technicians, and assistants; manage staffing, scheduling, performance evaluations, and career growth to build a skilled, motivated team.

3. Safety & Compliance – Implement and enforce safety protocols; ensure compliance with all regulatory, chemical use, and certification requirements.

4. Equipment & Resources – Maintain and calibrate lab equipment, manage inventory, and ensure cost-effective use of resources.

5. Budget & Reporting – Develop and manage the annual lab budget, monitor expenses, and provide regular reports and updates to leadership.

6. Fulfill Requests within the Quality & Time Targets – Provide technical expertise, and uphold rigorous quality control standards in processes and outputs.

7. Documentation & Communication – Maintain accurate records, protocols, and reports; serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies, vendors, and external partners.

8. Collaboration & Continuous Improvement – Work closely with operations, logistics, breeding, planning, research and other departments and subsidiaries to align goals; implement process improvements and foster innovation.

9. Leadership & Culture – Drive strategic planning, promote teamwork, uphold Fall Creek’s values, safeguard proprietary varieties, and ensure a respectful, compliant, and confidential work environment.

10. Other Duties – Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

1. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, plant pathology or equivalent combination of education and experience. --- At least 10 years of related experience combined with associate’s degree and/or certifications in related fields.

2. Requires 5+ years’ experience working in a plant tissue culture lab, preferably working with blueberries or similar horticultural crop.

3. Requires 3+ years people supervisory or leadership experience with direct responsibility for managing and developing staff. Including experience managing laboratory operations.

4. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with tissue culture propagation methods and knowledge of conventional plant propagation techniques.

5. Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain a valid license plus an acceptable (insurable) driving record.

6. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues related to experiments, equipment, or procedural protocols.

Desired qualifications

1. Bilingual language skills in Spanish & English.

2. Ability to collaborate with other departments, develop strong relationships, and maintain a positive attitude. Must be able to exercise good judgment and positively influence team decision making, and to support research initiatives and achieve organizational objectives.

3. Efficient verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively present information in formal and informal settings.

4. Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work well with people from different countries and with varying language skills.

5. Must demonstrate professional and ethical business practices, adherence to company values, and a commitment to personal and professional development.

Who is Fall Creek?

We’re a US-based company with a keen focus on blueberry genetics, plants, and grower support delivered to the world’s premier blueberry growers. From our humble beginnings in Lowell, Oregon more than 40 years ago, we now also have wholly-owned nurseries in Mexico, Peru, Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, China, and Chile. Additionally, we have built a global team of the finest breeders, researchers, propagators and nursery professionals, grower support technicians, sales and customer service experts and more. We’re a deeply-planted link in a global chain, ready to serve our customers and our industry throughout North, Central, and South America, Greater Europe, Asia, and Africa. Our mission is to serve the growers and to support the blueberry industry, helping to ensure growers maximize success through our delivery of the best genetics and plants, technical know-how and global market intelligence. To fulfill our mission, we focus on cultivating exceptional plants, building strong relationships and providing responsive customer service. This is all part of how we’re helping to build A World with Better Blueberries™.