At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Operations Associate 

Operations Associate (Huxley, IA)

Operations Associate plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our North America Plant Breeding Research and Development efforts. In this role, you work closely with research and commercial brand teams to design both short- and long-term testing programs for experimental and commercial products and hybrids; you monitor product and hybrid development throughout the season, collecting biological information and data from field and strip plots to inform data-driven decisions; you present agronomic insights to research and commercial teams, arrange and conduct plot tours, and provide product knowledge that supports robust product and hybrid evaluation; you also make recommendations for new product and hybrid development, ensuring that our pipeline remains innovative, competitive, and aligned with growers’ needs; as an Operations Associate, you are responsible for executing daily operations and partnering with internal groups to design, execute, and oversee North America Plant Breeding’s R&D activities, helping to connect scientific discovery with commercial success.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Operations Associate, are to:

• Be accountable for the safe and timely delivery of quality seed and research supply based on production schedules while maintaining an efficient operation, performing duties in a way that supports site Key Metrics including Safety, Quality, TIP (total individual volume performance), TOP (total overall volume performance), and cost efficiency;
• Organize and execute research protocols and operational plans that drive the site’s day-to-day priorities across field, plot, and operational activities;
• Implement unique and innovative technology solutions and new tools or methodologies that improve research design, operational success, and overall plant breeding outcomes;
• Provide direction and coaching to site staff as part of a team that achieves results through influencing others, demonstrating personal proficiency, and modeling company values;
• Collaborate with team members and project leaders to make tactical decisions that deliver pipeline innovations in support of Breeding Outcomes and long-term product advancement;
• Lead and influence projects and initiatives at the hub and across the network, working independently as a subject matter expert, building a strong internal and external network, providing innovative solutions, planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of others while serving as a mentor;
• Be accountable for business unit or project results through leadership and coordination across site strategy, prioritizing and monitoring projects to ensure completion within agreed deadlines and budgets;
• Lead activities within the surrounding community to foster positive community relations and outreach efforts that reflect the company’s values and commitment to agriculture;
• Ensure visibility into and resolution of production pipeline challenges, engaging with site leadership to align on an optimal future state and reporting on measurable items such as milestones and deliverables;
• Demonstrate subject matter expertise and autonomy in task execution, showing proficiency across multiple machine platforms, tools, technologies, and workflows, proactively taking initiative, and influencing and driving actions.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in line with the company’s Risk Screening for Hiring Drivers (MVR will be reviewed as part of pre-employment screening);
• Bachelor’s degree;
• Ability to tailor communication style to different audiences, using data, analytics, and visualizations to tell a clear, compelling story and to advocate for and promote the use of new technologies;
• Strong ability to simplify complex information and communicate organizational goals, strategies, and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, including following up from strategic or organizational calls and meetings to influence leadership, shape outcomes, and deliver solutions;
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including influencing, coaching, facilitation, conflict resolution, and relationship management;
• Results orientation with the ability to make effective decisions after careful consideration of multiple courses of action and their impact on various individuals and groups;
• Demonstrated success in fostering a site culture dedicated to environmental SSHE, regulatory compliance, and quality performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business, Engineering, or related discipline;
• At least 5+ years of work-related experience in Agriculture, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or R&D.

Posting is available until May 4, 2026

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $ 76,480.00 - $114,720.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant).  Other benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc. If selected for this role, the offer may vary based on market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.