Breeding Program Operations Manager

Job Details

The Breeding Program Operations Manager is a senior operational role responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing breeding program activities that ensure efficient delivery of genetic progress from nucleus and experimental environments into commercial production. The role integrates breeding operations, field and technical activities, fish health and welfare data collection, experimental support, and logistics, acting as the key operational interface between local breeding activities, global R&D projects and partners, and the Mowi Genetics team in Bergen, which leads breeding planning, genetic data flow, and alignment on annual and long-term breeding strategies.

Key responsibilities

Breeding operations & planning

• Plan and deliver annual breeding operations, including broodstock handling, sorting/grading, family matings, PIT tagging, ultrasound, and sampling.
• Translate genetic plans from Mowi Genetics in Bergen into practical egg production, hatchery and field operations in Ireland and Scotland.
• Coordinate production of breeding nucleus and production groups in line with genetic, operational and experimental targets.
• Maintain high standards of biosecurity, fish welfare, and operational compliance.

Data, sampling & technical operations

• Ensure accurate capture and documentation of phenotypic data from broodstock, informants, and research trials, and prepare datasets for genetic analysis.
• Coordinate biological sampling, trial logistics, reporting, fish movements, and field operations with internal and external R&D partners.
• Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and availability of breeding, sampling, and data-collection equipment, while supporting continuous improvement in traceability, data capture, and operational efficiency.

Coordination & leadership

• Coordinate and supervise technicians and temporary staff during peak periods.
• Liaise with production teams, R&D staff, research partners, and trial facilities to align breeding and experimental activities.
• Contribute to SOPs, best practices, and continuous improvement across breeding operations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in animal breeding, quantitative genetics, animal science, aquaculture genetics, or a closely related discipline preferred; Bachelor’s degree considered with strong relevant experience.
• Proven experience with breeding operations, broodstock management, or genetic data collection within aquaculture or animal-breeding programs.
• Strong operational planning skills with the ability to manage complex, multi-site activities.
• Solid understanding of fish welfare and biosecurity, Comfortable working at the interface between field operations, data flows, genetics, and R&D.

Skills & competencies

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across operations, genetics, and R&D partners. Technically confident, with experience or interest in data capture systems, field equipment, and digital tools.
• Self driven, collaborative, and comfortable working across cultures, disciplines, and geographies.

Language & mobility

• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including regular interaction with Bergen, Norway, and R&D partners.
• Valid driving licence required.

Contact Information

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