Posted 1mo ago

Research & Development Coordinator

@ Costa Farms
Miami, Florida, United States
OnsiteFull Time
Responsibilities:Create trials, Generate reports, Maintain records
Requirements Summary:Coordinate R&D operations, manage trial materials, and maintain vendor communications; requires bilingual Spanish/English, Excel proficiency, strong organization.
Technical Tools Mentioned:Microsoft Office, Excel, ERP
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Job Description

Description

 Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists! 

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life. 

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts. 

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community. 

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law. 


DESCRIPTION

The R&D   Coordinator at Costa Farms is a highly organized and   detail-oriented professional passionate about supporting research   and development operations, coordinating trial material,   and maintaining strong communication with vendors and internal   teams. As part of the Research & Development Team, they will be   responsible for executing initiatives that support efficient trial   management, accurate system data, and strong communication and coordination   between internal and external teams such as breeders and   vendors. By promoting clear   communication, timely follow-up, and organized tracking of R&D   activities, the R&D Coordinator contributes   to streamlining research operations, supporting successful trial   execution, and ensuring effective collaboration across operations, production   planning, and procurement teams. 

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES 

· Create   and manage new trials within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system   for the Asheville, Trenton, and Miami locations.

· Generate   weekly Sowing, Sticking, and Potting reports along with the required tags   associated. 

· Maintain   accurate trial records by promptly updating substitutions, backorders, and   other changes in the system.

· Generate   and manage purchase orders for breeders, vendors, and suppliers, ensuring   timely follow-up and accurate documentation.

· Partner   with Accounts Payable to onboard new vendors and ensure proper vendor setup   within company systems.

· Act   as a liaison between R&D, operations, production planning, and hard goods   departments to support smooth trial execution and communication.

· Provide   regular updates to the R&D Director on trial progress, key milestones,   and any challenges requiring attention.

· Maintain cleanliness and organization of   garden and greenhouse areas.

Additional Responsibilities

· Availability   for flexible schedule changes based on business needs (including but not   limited to seasonal demand and additional hours outside of the regular work   schedule, such as weekends, nights, and holidays).

· Collaborate   with cross-functional teams to gather information or help as required.

· Perform   additional duties as required.

      

QUALIFICATIONS

· Excellent communication and interpersonal   skills in Spanish and English.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a   strong emphasis in Excel

· Excellent written and verbal communication   skills, with the ability to present complex data to diverse audiences.

· Superior organizational, self-motivation and   problem-solving skills

· Ability to effectively operate both   independently and as part of a team

· Flexibility   to adapt to changing priorities and work schedules as needed. 


Physical   Demands

Exerting up   to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force   frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move   objects, including the human body Primarily involves sitting, with   occasional requirements to stand, walk, or lift objects to a certain   weight. 


Work   Environment:

The role involves utilizing standard   office equipment, such as computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, telephones,   and other essential digital tools required for daily tasks. 

The role is primarily office-based, which may   include open spaces with background noise from conversations, office   equipment, and phone calls. Occasionally, tasks may require working outdoors   in various weather conditions. 


 SKILLS 

· Experience setting priorities for their teams and making strong decisions.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

· Capability to multitask and follow up on projects.

· Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

· Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.

· Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.


COMPETENCIES 

· Communicates effectively  

· Builds networks 

· Drives results 

· Optimizes work processes 

· Collaborates 

· Ensures Accountability 


Here at Costa Farms, we're proud to offer not only a competitive wage, but also some really great benefits:

· Company 401(k) with employer matching contributions

· Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care 

· Telehealth - Medical and Mental Health Care

· Medical Insurance 

· GAP Insurance

· Dental Insurance 

· Vision Insurance 

· Pet Insurance

· Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC) 

· Legal/ID Theft Protection plans

· Professional development opportunities 

· Challenging and exciting work environment 

· Costa Farms Scholarship 

· Employee discounts on plants 


Costa Farms headquarters in Miami, FL also has:

· On-site gym with showers  

· A subsidized on-site cafeteria, a designated quiet room, and indoor recreational activities are provided.  

· Love Where You Work activities throughout the year 

All applicants must be work-authorized.

Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

After applying, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and your go-to social platforms to stay updated on exciting developments at Costa Farms and build relationships with fellow plant enthusiasts on our team. Come Grow with Us™!