Tissue Culture Lab Production Technician

Job Title: Tissue Culture Lab Production Technician 2

This position is at our Tissue Culture Lab, located on Snow Hill Road, Durham, NC  27712

Purpose:

In keeping with the Hoffman Nursery, Inc. (HNI) Mission Statement the Tissue Culture Production Technician performs repetitive plant splitting and transfer work in a sterile lab environment. This role supports high-volume production by following exact procedures to ensure clean, consistent plant material.

This is a hands-on, detail-driven position focused on consistency, speed, and accuracy — not research or experimentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 Core Technical Duties

• Follow and maintain established protocols for all plant material in the Tissue Culture (TC) laboratory.
• Follow and maintain media preparation protocols for all plant materials.
• Adhere to sterile techniques and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all lab functions.
• Follow existing methods for producing and growing high-quality TC plant material, while offering suggestions for improvement.
• Oversee routine maintenance and proper functioning of laboratory equipment.

Plant Splitting & Transfer (Primary Function)

• Divide plant material into smaller units using tools (forceps, scalpel)
• Transfer plantlets into fresh media under sterile conditions
• Follow exact procedures for each plant variety and stage
• Maintain consistent pace while meeting quality standards

Sterile Technique Execution

• Work under laminar flow hood using strict aseptic technique
• Prevent contamination by following all cleanliness protocols
• Handle plant material carefully to avoid damage

Production Output

• Meet daily and weekly production targets
• Maintain consistent workflow without sacrificing quality
• Minimize errors that result in lost product

Quality Awareness

• Identify obvious contamination (mold, discoloration, poor growth)
• Remove and report compromised material
• Maintain uniformity in plant size and placement

Workstation and Lab Cleanliness

• Keep work area clean and always organized
• Follow sanitation procedures between batches
• Properly dispose of plant waste and materials

SOP (Standard Operating System) Compliance

• Follow step-by-step instructions exactly as provided
• No deviation from established processes
• Take directions from Lead Technician or Supervisor

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be in alignment with Hoffman Nursery core values.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

This Tissue Culture Lab Technician position at HNI is important to the overall success of the nursery. This position requires an individual who can motivate, guide and direct the laboratory team members while following the HNI standards and Best Management Practices. Organization, attention to detail and time management are critical to the success of the TC Lab Supervisor.

This job description highlights the main components of the TC lab Supervisors job but is not inclusive to all activities that may be required.

Physical Demands

• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
• Regularly stand, walk, crouch, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly use hands and fingers to handle, feel, and perform fine motor tasks.
• Regularly speak and hear clearly in a lab or production setting.
• Regularly sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crawl as job duties require.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus—with or without corrective lenses.
• Work may be performed indoors (TC lab, greenhouses, hoop houses, head house, and office spaces) and outdoors as needed.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods
• Good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
• Ability to follow instructions exactly
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lift to 30 lbs. and stand for extended periods.

Preferred:

• Production work
• Nursery, greenhouse, or agriculture
• Assembly line or lab environment

Position Details:

This is a full-time, onsite hourly position averaging 40-45 hours per week, with occasional weekend word required.

This job description is not an employment contract. It is not designed to cover or contain a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change. Other tasks may be assigned at any time based on business needs and the supervisor's or management’s requests.

Hoffman Nursery is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all employment is At Will. Hoffman Nursery, Inc. participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employees are authorized to work in the U.S.