Job description
Reporting to Global Manager Breeding Purpose Develop and execute breeding strategies for one or multiple crop segments, ensuring a continuous pipeline of successful varieties that deliver long-term value aligned with the strategic direction of the assigned crop segments. Geographical scope Regional/ local - one or multiple crop segments Operational level Operational Key accountabilities
- Accountable for an optimal performing team, through a.o. leading, motivating, coaching, and developing assigned team members.
- Lead the development and implementation of breeding strategies for one or multiple crop segments, ensuring alignment with the crop segment strategy and annual priorities.
- Translate crop segment strategies into clear, actionable breeding plans, ensuring that strategic priorities are effectively reflected in operational activities, project focus, and resource decisions.
- Design, organize, and oversee breeding projects and research initiatives for one or multiple breeding programs, ensuring clear objectives, prioritization, and effective execution.
- Ensure optimal day to day breeding operations, including performance monitoring and allocation of resources, knowledge, people and equipment to drive success. Responsible for the delivery of breeding outcomes.
- Implement new genetics, technologies, tools, and processes within assigned breeding programs, and ensure adoption. Collaborate with Expert Breeders to guide operational implementation.
- Drive continuous improvement in breeding processes, adopt best practices and support teams in navigating changes in tools, approaches, or priorities.
- Lead or participate in multidisciplinary projects, providing strong project management, coordinating cross functional contributions, and ensuring alignment with key stakeholders. Main internal contacts * Head of Breeding
- Sparring partner on crop organization matters, provide solicited and unsolicited advice * (Senior) Breeders
- Implement, execute, and deliver breeding plans * Researchers & Molecular Breeding (pre-breeding/genomic breeders)
- Adopt new technologies into Breeding * Sales Representatives, Product Specialists
- Develop and align product development and positioning * Station Managers
- Align on planning, crop quality, efficiency, resourcing * CAP team/ PD team
- Member of CAP and/or Product Development team Main external contacts * Key customers
- Ensure thorough understanding of market trends and customer needs that will drive strategic development of the crops * Industry organizations
- Represent Ena Zaden and safeguard the interests of Enza Zaden * Universities and research insitutions
- Input on strategy and collaboration on programs (not on detailed projects). # direct reports Up to 5 # indirect reports N/a Financial responsibilities Revenue: N/a Budget: EUR 500K to 1.5 million Minimum working and thinking level Higher professional education (HBO, Bachelor) Minimum years of relevant work experience 6 to 8 years Required certifications, knowledge and skills * Educational background in plant science * Business education or related desirable * Broad knowledge across all technical disciplines supporting variety development * Ability to steer based on financial and customer insights * People management and leadership skills across cultures * Working through delegation and empowerment *Proficient in the English and local language, both written and verbal Working conditions * Working under pressure * Strain of eyes and back muscles from regular use of a computer screen * Working in conditioned climate/high temperatures * Working outside in different weather conditions * Frequent domestic and international business traveling