Company  

GRAINES VOLTZ SA is a French seed company, based in Colmar, which is enjoying international success.

For 35 years, GRAINES VOLTZ has been a rapid growing and independent family business. The main activity of the company is the trade in vegetable and flower seeds, as well as young plants.

Through the takeover of the HILD aromatic and vegetable seeds business from BASF, based in Marbach (Germany), as well as the acquisition of HERMINA MAIER GmbH in Regensburg (Germany), GRAINES VOLTZ has become a major supplier and breeder of vegetable seeds in Germany.

GRAINES VOLTZ intends to integrate and further develop the aromatic and vegetable Breeding businesses acquired by HILD. The breeding programs for aromatic, in particular, enjoy an excellent reputation around the world. Other breeding programs, such as green beans and radishes, as well as a wide range of conservation breeding of HILD varieties, require a new site for research and development. 

To this end, we have set up a new breeding station in the north of the area of Stuttgart (Germany) and are looking for a Breeding R&D Director (m/f/d).

Position: Full-time, salaried

Responsibilities

R&D General

• Oversee all vegetable projects in the breeding pipeline, working with team stakeholders to advance projects through the variety development and trialing process
• Manage the budget for all breeding activities
• Organize work schedules from part of the team.
• Collaborate with the team to develop near- and long-term objectives for GRAINES VOLTZ’s crop portfolio, strategizing around key market opportunities and breeding goals
• Draft proposals for new internal and external breeding projects, including project goals, timeline/path to market and royalty agreements
• Support the development of data gathering systems for early trials. Implement these systems in coordination with GRAINES VOLTZ team
• Distill trials data and input to inform decision-making and recommendations around GRAINES VOLTZ pipeline
• Communicate research goals and updates across the team during meetings
• Maintain clear and accurate records using project management tools

Breeder Community Relationship Management

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with the breeder community, including visits to their field trials
• Manage breeding contracts and agreements
• Make sure seeds of new breeding material for evaluation is produced
• Establish regular cadence for breeder communications, sharing feedback from internal and external trials

Research Farm

• Work with Research Farm Manager to establish annual Research Farm budgets and goals
• Support development of seeding lists, data sheets, harvest timeline to achieve goals
• Track all experimental seeds and produce during the growing season
• Make regular visits to the Research Farm

Internal Breeding Projects

• Support and manage team members involved in ongoing breeding projects, including:
  • Crossing block and nursery planning, including seeding lists and pollinations
  • Pollinations management
  • Nursery plant maintenance and evaluation
  • Seed harvest, cleaning, drying and inventory organization

Seed Production Support

• Participate to seed production definition with the Seed Production Manager
• Support planning and implementation of foundation seed production on the Research Farm
• Coordinate genetic testing/disease screening as needed

Other

• Represent the company at workshops, conferences and other events, including through educational programming
• Coordinate nutritional analysis of new varieties
• Support high-value strategic partnerships

Required education and experience:

• BA/BS, PhD or M.Sc. with focus on plant breeding required
• Experience with Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Plant Genetics and/or Biotechnology
• Experience with the use of molecular markers for marker assisted selection
• Seed industry and/or management experience
• Ability to work accurately and systematically both in the office and in the field
• Ability to adapt to the seasonal fluctuations required for breeding and attendance for travelling
• Familiar with the use of MS Office applications and interest in learning new software
• Very good language skills of English and German and interest in learning French and other languages
• Team player and excellent communication skills
• Research/trials experience and knowledge of plant breeding techniques
• A strong understanding of organic agriculture practices and plant science
• Ability to travel to regularly
• Driving license of type B

The ideal candidate is

• detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects and timelines
• Methodical and accurate.
• Able to convert knowledge into product innovation.
• a skilled oral and written communicator
• experienced in project management
• Initiative, likes to take on responsibilities.
• Awareness of interests and can communicate easily on different levels.
• Tenacity with high commitment.
• collaborative, with the desire to work closely with other team and community members to achieve shared goals
• experienced in motivating and mentoring team members
• aligned with GRAINES VOLTZ’s mission and values
• eager to learn and grow with expanding organization

What we offer:

• Challenging field of work
• Working in a dynamic team
• Nice working atmosphere
• Possibility for training and qualification
• Rewarding career package
• Working in a dynamic family company with tradition

Are you interested?

We look forward to your convincing application in English or German per Email at : skoch@grainesvoltz.com