.JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating research and development activities of Melon. Direction of assigned program is determined and implemented by the Sr. plant breeder. Basic purpose is to develop or encourage the development of state-of-the-art proprietary products for Sakata Seed America. The role will be responsible for managing melon-breeding related projects using available resources to ensure on-time completion of such projects within budgeted costs.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:Develop, maintain, and improve LSL, Western Shipper and ESL Melon varieties for domestic and international markets. Focus on Sakata Seed America markets in US, Mexico, and Central America. USA and Mexico will be the primary markets. Some travel outside of Sakata America territory will also be expected.Coordinate and place trials in major market areas and travel to these areas for evaluation of entries. Significant travel time is required to get the results desired. The responsibility is to travel domestically and internationally 35% of the time.Advance hybrids via Sakata's PLC system. Write descriptions of varieties for advancement. Fulfill requirements for variety advancement through documentation of performance, documentation of resistance, and completion of required breeder's seed.Provide summarized results of trials to supervisor as requested.On assigned species, assist in preparing market analysis and product profiles for product introduction and customer support. Work with Sales Department and/or Product Manager in designing and evaluating trials of advancing experimental varieties.Planning crossing blocks and field trials, managing field selection and evaluation of assigned species.Design breeding strategies and maintain breeding lines, including the collection and incorporation of new germplasm. Screen and select horticulturally superior and disease resistant material from breeding nurseries, laboratory and field screens.Provide Production department with required amount of Breeder's seed of parent lines of advancing hybrids along with Inbred (parent) Line Descriptions. Coordinate plant selection for production of quality stock seed. Produce adequate quantities of disease-free basic seed.Work with plant pathology to identify and implement reliable assays and create products with competitive disease resistance. Pursue resistance to new pathogens that threaten the industry.Work with Biotechnology in establishing high a throughput marker assisted breeding program. Facilitate the development of new markers by preparing the appropriate segregating populations that can enable the association of genotype and phenotype.Attend selected professional conferences and seminars and maintain networks with the scientific community to stay at the technological forefront in assigned species.Develop and maintain current and accurate records of breeding program in Sakata's breeding information system