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

• 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