Breeding Specialist (Corn / Maize) - Delmas

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’re hiring for a Breeding Specialist (Corn / Maize), based in Delmas.

Learn how you can be our voice in the conversation about the future of agriculture.

As a Breeding Specialist, you will play a critical role in accelerating the delivery of innovative genetic solutions to farmers across Africa. Partnering with breeding, research, and operations teams, you will help advance new genetics from early-stage development to inbred line release, ensuring excellence in execution, quality, and timely delivery.

This is a diverse, high-impact role that offers exposure to multiple breeding programs, research centers, and crop improvement initiatives across the region. You'll have the opportunity to broaden your technical expertise, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to breeding strategies that shape the future of agriculture.

The role may include leading projects, teams, or key research activities across locations, such as seed operations and logistics, double-haploid delivery, trait integration, marker development, experimental planning, seed production, and phenotyping. While primarily focused on maize breeding, you may also contribute to other crop programs as business needs evolve.

You Will Be Part of Growing Team

Reports to the Site Operations Lead and works closely with all breeders, molecular biologists, plant pathologists, data analysts, operational teams and systems specialists.

Drive the seamless planning and execution of research activities, ensuring operational excellence, accurate experimental outcomes, timely data delivery, and a strong culture of safety.

Your Challenge:

• Collaborate with global Corn breeding colleagues to develop and deliver products for the African market.
• Ensure on-time and high-quality execution of breeding program nurseries, testing networks, and phenotyping activities across all research centers and teams involved, with emphasis on later-stage work from inbred line coding through to product advancement.
• Facilitate interactions and global seed logistics between breeding programs, trait integration, genotyping, regional seed production, and testing teams, ensuring the newest genetics are delivered fast.
• Prepare data analysis jobs and participate in operational and product advancement meetings.
• Hold accountability for the full experimental plan and operational task management, in conjunction with Breeding and Operations Leads.
• Supervise projects including breeding germplasm inventory management: coordinating global seed exchange, non-routine seed discards, and systems data updates.
• Pursue continuous learning of Corn germplasm, new breeding tools and technologies, and the optimization of work processes (continuous improvement).
• Ensure global best practice in corn operations at all relevant research centers, and contribute to operating procedures in planting, seed handling, controlled pollination (including detasseling and nicking management), seed processing, conditioning, and storage.
• Engage in the Safety Program, meeting legal requirements and the company's internal policies, while motivating colleagues in the same direction.

Field Work and Travel

This is a highly field-oriented role, with significant involvement in the planning, execution, and validation of research trials throughout the growing season. Success in this position requires a strong commitment to data quality, extensive time in the field, regular local travel, and a valid driver's licence

Location:

Delmas, South Africa

To Grow What Matters, You Will Need

PhD in Genetics / Plant Breeding, or M.Sc. supported by minimum 3 years' of relevant experience.

Corn field experience is beneficial.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to work under seasonal tight deadlines with fast data turn-around.

Knowledge of statistical software (R or Python).

Ability to drive a vehicle is an essential requirement; a valid driver's license is required and experience driving on rural/gravel roads is beneficial.

Travel is required, particularly in-season; international travel may be required for hands-on training.

Behavioural competencies: An innovative and analytical professional who thrives in collaborative environments, demonstrates accountability, adapts to evolving challenges, influences without authority and uses data to drive impactful decisions.

#LI-NK2

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.