Manager Breeding

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

1. Accountable for an optimal performing team, through a.o. leading, motivating, coaching, and developing assigned team members. 
2. Lead the development and implementation of breeding strategies for one or multiple crop segments, ensuring alignment with the crop segment strategy and annual priorities.
3. Translate crop segment strategies into clear, actionable breeding plans, ensuring that strategic priorities are effectively reflected in operational activities, project focus, and resource decisions.
4. Design, organize, and oversee breeding projects and research initiatives for one or multiple breeding programs, ensuring clear objectives, prioritization, and effective execution.
5. 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.

6. Implement new genetics, technologies, tools, and processes within assigned breeding programs, and ensure adoption. Collaborate with Expert Breeders to guide operational implementation. 

7. Drive continuous improvement in breeding processes, adopt best practices and support teams in navigating changes in tools, approaches, or priorities. 

8. 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