Key Skills

Job Description

Management PhD, Master In this role, you will guide our breeding programs both in the Netherlands and abroad. You will provide people oriented leadership to a team of approximately 60 colleagues. Contribute to the vegetables of tomorrow as Breeding Manager Lettuce. Your job at Rijk ZwaanAs a Breeding Manager, you are responsible for the global strategic and process‑based direction of the breeding programs. You focus on challenging, supporting, and coaching the breeding teams. You ensure the development of breeding programs and research projects and define the breeding objectives. Rijk Zwaan has a unique company culture. Two managers generally lead the departments. This means you will jointly manage the department in the Netherlands together with your fellow Breeding Manager. Within the department, attention to personal development, coaching, and a positive working atmosphere is just as important as the content of the projects. In addition, you will be involved in: Managing the global portfolio of breeding programs and pre‑breeding projects Encouraging the implementation of new breeding techniques within the department Regularly visiting breeding teams worldwide and international R&D directors Monitoring developments in the field of intellectual property Collaborating with a wide range of departments, such as operational and research teams Where will you be working?Rijk Zwaan is an international family business with a people‑oriented company culture. Rijk Zwaan sits at the beginning of the food chain. We develop fruit and vegetable varieties and sell their seeds to growers and other chain partners around the world. In doing so, we make an important contribution to global food supply. As Breeding Manager, you will lead the Lettuce Breeding department. Based in our facility in Fijnaart, we focus on developing new, tasty, and healthy lettuce varieties. The department consists of various breeding, pre‑breeding, and support teams. More than 80 colleagues worldwide work in this department.Jair, Breeding Manager Lettuce:“It’s wonderful to work together with a diverse group of colleagues to shape the lettuce of the future.” Your contributionAs a Breeding Manager, you have experience in people‑oriented leadership. You enjoy coaching, guiding, and helping employees develop further. You work in a structured way, communicative, and collaborative—both within and outside the organization—and you possess intercultural sensitivity. You can organize well, able to plan effectively, and have a keen sense of responsibility and strategic insight. You are also willing to travel regularly. In addition, we can find the following on your cv: At least a completed Master, for example in Plant Sciences 5 or more years of managerial experience in plant breeding or breeding research Strong command of the English language Willingly to learn Dutch What you can expect from usThe basics are, of course, well arranged. You will work in an inspiring environment with dedicated colleagues and contribute to our mission: making healthy vegetables available to everyone. At Rijk Zwaan, responsibilities are placed as low as possible within the organization. We give breeding departments a great deal of freedom to organize their work in a way that best suits the colleagues carrying it out and the crop in question. This results in successful varieties with global impact on food supply. Each year, Rijk Zwaan invests nearly 30% of its revenue into R&D.We are happy to offer you: A permanent contract from the start for 38 hours per week A good salary based on position level and experience 25 vacation days, a vitality day, and the option to purchase additional days Training opportunities through the Rijk Zwaan Academy At Rijk Zwaan, it’s not only about good employment conditions, but also about your development, health, and enjoyment at work. You will find this reflected in, among other things: Introduction lunch with management and other new colleagues Fresh soup, fruit, and/or salads “Rondjes Rijk Zwaan” introduction program—get to know our culture, departments, and history Development discussions instead of appraisal interviews Rijk Zwaan Fit, including sports activities such as running and bootcamp, plus discounts on gym memberships Voluntary Preventive Medical Examination Activities you can participate in, from BBQs to photography workshops

Core Responsibilities

Lead the global strategic direction and development of lettuce breeding programs, pre-breeding projects, and research initiatives, including defining breeding objectives and encouraging the adoption of new breeding techniques. Jointly manage the Netherlands department, coach and support its teams, oversee the global portfolio, visit international teams, monitor intellectual property developments, and collaborate across departments.

Requirements

Applicants need at least a master's degree, such as in Plant Sciences, and five or more years of management experience in plant breeding or breeding research. They should have strong English skills, be willing to learn Dutch and travel regularly, and demonstrate people-oriented leadership, strategic insight, organization, communication, collaboration, and intercultural sensitivity.

Benefits

• Permanent Contract
• Good Salary
• 25 Vacation Days
• Vitality Day
• Option to Purchase Additional Vacation Days
• Training Opportunities
• Fresh Soup, Fruit, and Salads
• Sports Activities
• Gym Membership Discounts
• Preventive Medical Examination
• Employee Activities