Job Description
Posting Start Date:  4/29/26
Offer ID:  2129
Unit:  HM Clause
Job Title:  Seed Germination Lead
Job Location:  Modesto
Contract type:  Permanent
Job Description: 

Function

  • QC Technician level / Quality control technician
  • RFT / Hourly Non Exempt
  • Level 1 PC 47
  • Salary Range: $26-32/h
  • Level 2 PC 49
  • Salary Range: $30-37/h
  • Not eligible to vehicle or bonus
    CGO: Apr 23rd 

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

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

· Responsible for scheduling and conducting Germination Testing Following AOSA and HM Clause protocols (Lab).


· Prepare media for testing (towels, blotters, AA, Thermogradient, etc.) following specific written procedures.


· Responsible for training Lab Technicians and conducting seed germination testing using vacuum planting system or manually and perform seedling evaluations.


· Plant and maintain test seedlings under controlled environment, while monitoring all aspects that could affect test results, maintaining laboratories in a clean, safe and organized manner.


· Responsible for verifying result interpretation and releasing test results in Starlims; file daily samples and pull samples as needed.


· Conduct physical purity analysis and noxious weed seed examinations following HM Clause Protocols and AOSA Rules.


· Support the Germination Lab Manager with the coordination and execution of projects related to Lab accreditation, completing them in a timely, efficient, safe and effective manner.


· Cross-train in conducting germination testing following HM Clause protocols in both seed lab and greenhouse setting.


· Responsible for monitoring and maintaining all equipment and facilities in good working order and check that equipment requiring certifications are completed.


· Assist Germination Lab Manager with maintenance and service agreement of equipment.


· Responsible for meeting all safety requirements in the Lab and Greenhouse.


· Other tasks as assigned.

What we expect of you

To be considered, you will need: 

Experience in germination testing is highly desirable.

B.S. Degree in Biological Science, Botany, Agriculture, or equivalent experience is preferred.

This position requires an individual with excellent interpersonal skills, as they will be part of a team.

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 $30 - $37/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.

•    Comprehensive Benefits Choices
o    Medical, Dental, Vision
•    Work/Life Balance
o    12 Paid Holidays per year
o    +1 Floating Holiday per year
o    Paid shutdown holidays
o     Progressive time off starting at 80-vacation hours
•    Company Covered Benefits
o    Company paid Life Insurance, Long and Short-Term Disability
•    Wellness Benefits
o    Family EAP, Telehealth and Mental Wellness Services
•    Internal Career Progression
o    Learning Environment
o    Promotions from within
o    Paid Annual Training
o    Tuition Reimbursement
•    Welcoming Environment
o    Business casual attire; open door policy
•    Financial Wellness
o    401(k) dollar for dollar Employer matching
o    Supplemental Employer Contribution Plan
o    Traditional and Roth (401k) plans options
o    Company Profit sharing in December
•    Family Benefits
o    Maternity and Paternity paid time off
o    Low family medical deductibles
o    Family Planning Resources

We are a company with a supportive culture and leadership.  We encourage you to be part of our journey to enhance the world’s food supply and support the farmers that grow them.

Your benefits and working environment

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; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 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 is regularly required to work near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently required to work in moderate noise conditions; toxic or caustic chemicals; work in extreme heat (non-weather). The employee is occasionally required to work with fumes or airborne particles; work with extreme cold (non-weather); work with vibration; work in wet or humid conditions (non-weather).

To view all U.S. based privacy rights and how to exercise them, click here: Privacy policy - HM Clause.

Information at a Glance

HM.CLAUSE, Business Unit of Group Limagrain, is an innovative global leader in the development, production, and commercialization of vegetable seeds. HM.CLAUSE belongs to the top 5 vegetable seed entities in the world. With over 2,000 varieties in more than 20 vegetable crops, HM.CLAUSE provides innovative solutions to growers worldwide. HM. CLAUSE is a company committed to diversity and inclusion.

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.