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Seed Handling Specialist at Vylor in Grimes, IA
Mid LevelOn-siteFull-timeGrimes, IA
Job Description
Seed Handling Specialist
Location: Grimes, Iowa, United States
Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture
At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.
Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Seed Handling Specialist, based in Grimes, Iowa. Do you like challenges and solving problems? Do you like working in a fast paced and dynamic environment? Does the idea of working with seed movements and supply chain excite you? If so, we have a perfect position for you, and you might want to keep reading. We are looking for a Seed Handling Specialist to join our awesome team.
Responsibilities - What You’ll Do:
- Lead and oversee seed packaging and sortation operations with full accountability for workforce planning, employee development, performance management, and end-to-end process execution. This role requires a strong hands-on approach, actively supporting daily operations, resolving process issues, and working alongside the team to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and customer service objectives are achieved.
- Maintain a highly visible presence on the production floor and actively participate in packaging, sortation, inventory management, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement activities as needed to support operational performance and business objectives.
- During peak operational periods, provide direct leadership for second shift (2nd shift) operations at the Grimes site, with full responsibility for seed inventory management and all post-sortation activities. This position is expected to provide real-time operational support, assist employees in addressing daily challenges, and ensure seamless execution of shift priorities. During non-peak periods, operate primarily on first shift (1st shift) in alignment with business and operational needs.
- Serve as the primary technical and operational subject matter expert for seed packaging and sortation equipment, driving equipment reliability, optimizing performance, leading troubleshooting efforts, and providing hands-on support during equipment startup, process disruptions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Champion a strong safety culture by leading by example on the shop floor, ensuring compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures, proactively identifying risks, and driving corrective and preventive actions to eliminate hazards and improve workplace safety.
- Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to support site operational requirements, including extended work hours, shift-based schedules, weekend coverage, and increased leadership presence during peak production periods.
Qualifications- What You’ll Need:
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- 3+ years of experience preferred in seed operations, packaging, manufacturing, warehouse operations, logistics, or agricultural production environments, including experience leading teams and coordinating daily operational activities.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a hands-on operational environment, actively supporting production activities, troubleshooting process and equipment issues, and leading by example on the production floor.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize work, manage multiple activities, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience utilizing operational data, metrics, and analytics to support decision-making, monitor performance, and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across shifts, departments, and functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy while managing inventory, production, and operational processes.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and ensuring compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Availability and willingness to work second shift during peak operational periods and demonstrate flexibility to support extended hours, weekends, and shift-based operations as business needs require.
- Ability to perform physical and repetitive tasks in an industrial environment, including extended periods of standing, walking, lifting, and actively supporting operational activities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
***Please note there is no visa sponsorship or relocation assistance provided for this role.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
- Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
- Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
- Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
- Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
- Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
- Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
- Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
- Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.