Company Introduction

“WE BUILD TRUST WITH FARMERS AROUND THE WORLD BY SUPPORTING THEM TO SUSTAINABLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND FLAVOR OF THEIR PRODUCTION.”

HM.CLAUSE is a Business Unit of Limagrain, an international agricultural co-operative founded and managed by farmers. HM.CLAUSE specializes in the breeding, production, and sale of vegetable seeds. From the world market to the farmer's market, we collaborate with our customers to deliver successful solutions for the agricultural challenges of today and produce the highest quality vegetable seeds for the future. Our global team of experts and state-of-the-art research facilities enable us to work side-by-side with growers to provide the most regionally relevant and reliable vegetable seeds available.

If our mission resonates with your passion, we look forward to your application. 

Job description

As a PD Intern for Processing Tomato, you will have hands-on opportunities to learn about the PTOM business, variety selection and advancement processes and high-level data analysis and experimental design.  This job will be physically demanding, including long hours in-field in high-heat weather and will require solo travel throughout the Central Valley of California.  Opportunities for collaboration with many teams, including R&D, Marketing and Sales exist, depending on your specific interests.  Main daily tasks will include checking fields for maturity, preparing trials for evaluation, assisting with evaluation and harvest, sample collection and delivery to our fruit quality lab and data collection.

You will be a great fit if you have experience similar to: 

PD Support

Assist CA PTOM PD and TSR positions in field logistics, field maintenance, trial evaluation, and harvest.
Organizing and working with other employees in the field
Seed packaging, inventory, and tracking
Data entry into breeder or research databases and spreadsheets
Count and prepare seed for planting
Perform all tasks and behave in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety related company policies and practices
Assist in any additional tasks required

Field Support

Help set up equipment and tools associated with key station activities including sowing, harvesting, fruit handling and processing
Collecting data and samples from internal and external field trials
Perform and assist in activities that will provide promotional and communication tools for the sales and Product Development (PD) staff. This may include collecting pictures of varieties and surrounding settings, collection of data on HMC commercial and experimental varieties, write descriptive description of HMC varieties, and support communicative efforts with customers and growers
Work alongside contract laborers conducting routine operational and breeding activities
Assist in checking external fields for maturity, field quality,
Collection and processing of fruit samples for quality lab analysis by research teams
Transport of fruit samples from external fields to quality lab for analysis
Communication between PD, Onsite facilities, Quality lab and external labor contractors for coordination.

What we expect of you

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of routine field growing practices and requirements.
• High level of manual dexterity and ability to complete tasks with a high level of accuracy required
• Must be able to perform job responsibilities and testing activities accurately and efficiently.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Strong communication and training others on basic tasks.
• Demonstrated computer skills in Word, Excel, email programs.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work
• Must be able to work as a team member and also independently. 
• Have good verbal and communication skills.
• Adaptability – Ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.  Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work OT as needed to meet field season demands.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Ensures work responsibilities are covered.
• Dependability - Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner with attention to detail
• Travel: Domestic Travel Required 40-50%
• Valid driver's license required.
• Bilingual (Conversational Level) in English and Spanish is highly preferred

Your benefits and working environment

The rewards of working here: You join an expert team of innovators and creators that collaborate with farmers around the world to sustainably enhance the taste and quality of healthy food. Our goal is to form teams that inspire and learn from each other as they work to elevate our products from seed to table. We recognize our employees as our most valued resource and work to create an atmosphere that is supportive, healthy, and progressive. We promote an environment of wellness and well-being and hybrid schedules when it is appropriate for the position. It is an important and expanding piece of our local and global mission for Diversity & Inclusion programs and support groups in the corporate world.  

HM.CLAUSE offers a strong compensation and benefits package to its employees:
•    Competitive salary
o    This position’s range is $22 - $25/hr
Our total compensation and pay ranges reflect our market pay structures.  As such, individual salaries or hourly rates are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: local geographical market conditions, internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as job related skills, education, and experience.

Physical Demands   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Ability to work in a greenhouse and open field environment where summer temperatures can exceed 105°F.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment   

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be driving cars, trucks, forklifts, or other equipment. This position will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee may need to walk on uneven ground and work near equipment or machinery. The noise level that is typical of this work environment is moderate. 

Working environment will mainly be in-field across the Central Valley of California. 

Opportunities for cross-collaboration with R&D, marketing and sales teams.

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