Headline

Sr Farm Operations Associate at East West Seed

About

M.Sc. (Genetics and Plant Breeding) professional with 7+ years of experience in vegetable product development and multi-location trial management. Currently leading RYT and HOT trials across three R&D locations (Vijayawada, Guntur, and Hyderabad) at East-West Seed. Experienced in planning, executing, and analyzing advanced-stage trials for crops including okra, hot pepper, gourds, melons and tomato, with strong focus on data-driven evaluation and hybrid advancement decisions. Proven ability to standardize data systems, improve trial efficiency, and collaborate with breeding and cross-functional teams to support product lifecycle (PLC) decisions.

Location

Guntur

Work experience

Sr Farm Operations Associate at East-West Seed, Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos, Guntur, Trial Management & Execution (Primary Focus): Led planning and execution of RYT (Replicated Yield Trials) and HOT (Hybrid Observation Trials) across three R&D locations (Vijayawada, Guntur, Hyderabad) Managed end-to-end trial lifecycle: nursery → transplanting → crop management → evaluation → harvest Ensured high-quality trial execution through standardized agronomic practices and protocol adherence Captured and validated data using Phenome and PhenoTop systems Collected and analyzed data on: Yield performance Disease incidence Plant vigor and fruit quality traits Presented trial data and insights in PAC meetings, contributing to Hybrid PLC decisions and advancement of breeding lines Data Management & Decision Support: Developed standardized formats for trial monitoring, cost tracking, and data reporting across locations Ensured timely, accurate, and consistent data capture to support reliable multi-location comparisons Contributed to hybrid selection and advancement decisions through structured data analysis and field insights Cross-functional Collaboration: Coordinated with breeding teams for entry evaluation, trait prioritization, and trial objectives alignment Supported joint evaluations and provided regular updates on trial progress and performance Operational & Resource Management (Supporting Role): Managed R&D operations across 3 locations, ensuring efficient utilization of manpower, materials, and infrastructure Implemented systems for: Worker usage tracking (SQMM) Inventory management (digital stock registers) Cost of cultivation tracking Executed CAPEX activities and monitored OPEX to support smooth trial execution

Product Development Specialist - RYT at East-West Seed, Dec 2022 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, "Trial Management and Execution: - Plan, conduct, and conclude trials for designated geography, aligned with seasonal requirements, focusing on major crops such as Okra, Hot Pepper, Gourds, Melons, and Tomato. - Ensure trial success by adhering to good crop agronomy practices and capturing timely data through Phenome and PhenoTop. - Analyze and present trial data in PAC meetings to inform Hybrid PLC decisions for the aforementioned crops. Collaboration and Support: - Partner with sales team to conduct crop training, demos, and complaint handling for Okra, Hot Pepper, Gourds, Melons, and Tomato, ensuring effective customer engagement and issue resolution. - Provide technical expertise and support to sales team, enhancing their ability to promote products effectively and address customer queries related to these major crops."

Assistant Manager - Product Development (VC) at Seedworks International Pvt. Ltd., Jul 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 5 mos, Guntur, "Successfully executed trials at strategic locations across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Guntur, Khammam, Warangal, and Ananthapur. Key Trial Highlights: - Conducted extensive trials of key crops such as Hot Pepper, Okra, Marigold, Gourds, and Melons, covering a diverse geography. - Gathered and analyzed valuable farmer feedback, informing critical decisions on New Product Introductions (NPIs), including SW 008, SW 450, and SW 890. - Played a pivotal role in shaping product development and commercialization strategies, leveraging trial insights and farmer input to drive business growth."

Assistant Manager - Testing at Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited, Jan 2021 - Jul 2021 · 7 mos, Hyderabad, "Promoted to Assistant Testing Manager in recognition of outstanding contributions to establishing a robust vegetable testing team for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Key Achievements: - Successfully conducted extensive vegetable trials for major crops, including Hot Pepper, Tomato, and Okra, tailored to the specific climates of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. - Designed and executed large-scale trials, utilizing a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 replications, spanning over 2 acres. - Demonstrated expertise in trial management, ensuring accurate data collection and analysis, and providing valuable insights for future crop development and optimization."

Research Associate - Vegetable Testing at Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited, Sep 2018 - Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 5 mos, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, "Successfully conducted extensive vegetable trials for key crops, including Hot Pepper, Tomato, and Okra, tailored to the specific climates of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Designed and executed large-scale trials, utilizing a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 replications, spanning over 2 acres. Effective trial management ensured accurate data collection and analysis, providing valuable insights for future crop development and optimization."

Research Intern at Solynta, Jun 2017 - Sep 2017 · 4 mos, Wageningen

Internus activity Manager at Spectrum-Wageningen, Jun 2016 - Aug 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos, Wageningen, Provincie Gelderland, Netherlands, Keeping track on the activities in the Team and organise the work to individuals

Education

Master of Science (MSc), Genetics and Plant Breeding, Wageningen University & Research

Bachelor of Science (BSc), Agriculture, Annamalai university