Field Trial Operations Manager
About the Role:
Location : Amarillo or Lubbock, Texas. Other Texas locations may be considered.
Avalo is seeking a Field Trial Operations Manager to lead the execution and expansion of Avalo's field-based trial program, with a primary focus on cotton.
This role will translate Avalo's research objectives into scientifically rigorous, well-executed field trials that generate high-quality data and enable advancement decisions. The Field Trial Operations Manager will bring strong agronomy and/or plant breeding expertise to the planning and execution of Avalo's field trials, including trial design, field protocols, crop evaluation, phenotypic and agronomic data collection, and interpretation of field performance.
As a key member of Avalo's broader cotton program, the Field Trial Operations Manager will work cross-functionally with research, product, computational, and go-to-market teams to ensure field results inform advancement decisions, research priorities, product development, and the continued advancement of our cotton portfolio.
What You'll Do:
Lead R&D Field Trial Strategy & Execution
Lead the planning and execution of Avalo's cotton R&D field trial portfolio, ensuring trials are scientifically rigorous and aligned with research and program objectives.
Apply agronomic and plant breeding expertise to trial design, site selection, field protocols, plot design, trial management, and evaluation of crop performance.
Oversee and complete all phases of field trials, from planting and crop management, through phenotyping, sampling, harvest, ginning, and post-season evaluation.
Evaluate trial performance throughout the season, identify issues or opportunities, and make informed agronomic and trial decisions as conditions evolve.
Ensure consistent standards, high-quality data collection, and experimental integrity across trial locations.
Synthesize field observations, environmental conditions, and trial results into actionable agronomic insights that support research and advancement decisions.
Lead Breeding, Line Advancement, and Propagation
Lead field-based evaluation and advancement of cotton lines in alignment with Avalo's research and product objectives.
Partner with Avalo's computational and AI teams to integrate field performance, phenotypic, agronomic, and environmental data into model development and line selection.
Apply agronomic and breeding expertise alongside computational insights to inform which lines advance through Avalo's development pipeline.
Develop and execute plans for advancing selected material, including future testing, propagation, and scale-up requirements.
Lead Avalo's winter nursery program, including line allocation, propagation planning, acreage requirements, execution, evaluation, and harvest.
Manage the propagation and scale-up of plant material required to support future trial, testing, and program growth.
Maintain accurate tracking and traceability of lines and plant material across locations, generations, and stages of advancement.
Build & Scale Field R&D Operations
Develop the field trial infrastructure, processes, partnerships, and resources necessary to support a rapidly expanding R&D trial portfolio.
Plan trial locations, acreage, equipment, labor, contractors, supplies, and other resources required for successful execution.
Build and manage relationships with growers, research organizations, academic collaborators, contractors, and other field trial partners.
Ensure appropriate trial equipment and capabilities are available, maintained, calibrated, and operated correctly to protect trial and data integrity.
Manage field trial logistics across multiple locations, including movement of plant material, equipment, samples, and supplies.
Field Crew Management
Select, schedule, coordinate, train, and oversee seasonal labor, field support, and third-party service providers, ensuring crews are prepared to execute all protocols including planting, phenotyping, sampling,…