Working for Enza Zaden means working for a leading breeding company of innovative vegetable varieties. Our headquarters is located in the heart of the seed industry: Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. Worldwide, Enza Zaden employs over 1,300 staff members, divided over 25+ locations. Our activities include the development of varieties for local markets as well as the sales and distribution of high-quality vegetable seeds. With the expertise and dedication of our employees, we continue strengthening our market position. Working for Enza Zaden means working in an international environment.

POSITION IN THE ORGANISATION:

Reports to the Pres/CEO North America and is an active member of the North America Management Team.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• Bears general, financial and organizational responsibility for managing multiple plant breeding stations and leading teams of scientists/plant breeders in North America.
• Has specific added value in the cooperation with Crop Research Managers and Crop teams and is responsible for successful results of the breeding and research programs.

Summary of responsibilities:

1. Managing multiple plant breeding stations in North America.
2. Responsible for overall management of the breeding programs and related research activities on the R&D locations in North America.
3. Preparing and implementing a multi-year strategic plan and annual budget, based on Board approved crop strategic plans.
4. Responsible for optimum protection of the intellectual property and confidentiality.

Other duties. Brief description of responsibilities and duties:

Managing multiple plant breeding stations in North America.

• Managing, coaching, motivating and assessing, CBM’s (sr.) Plant Breeders, Researchers and Facility Managers in their personal development, in close cooperation with the functional responsible persons.
• Coordinates financial and staff matters with the Accounting and HR Departments.
• Ensures that optimum and safe working conditions are provided, compliant with local laws.
• Ensures that the Facility Management delivers optimal quality of crops and solution driven activities and procedures in which the criteria of breeders are met.

Responsible for overall management of the breeding programs and related research activities of the R&D locations in North America.

• Managing the breeding programs and research activities to deliver successful new varieties for the commercial department.
• The content of the breeding programs and research activities is defined in close interaction with the CRM and the Biotechnology Department.

Preparing and implementing multi-year strategic plan and annual budget.

• Is responsible for preparing and implementing a multi-year R&D strategic plan for North America (including periodic adjustments) aligned with the global crop strategic plans approved by the Board and an annual budget of costs and investments for multiple breeding stations.
• Gives input to the CRM for global crop strategic plans.
• Promotes a high level of creativity and entrepreneurship, tuned to relevant developments and needs.
• Performing the agreed activities and successfully achieving the milestones within the agreed budget while realizing the highest output.

Responsible for optimum protection of the intellectual property and confidentiality.

• Delivers input for IP-protection in the widest sense of the term to CRM/Portfolio Manager.
• Is responsible for inspection of inputs and outputs, registration of visitors and instructing staff on how to deal with confidential data. 

Other duties.

• Develops a network and has excellent contacts with local relevant universities and research institutes.
• Responsible for organizing and presiding over the local R&D Management team meetings in order to align and implement the long term strategic plans within the local organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION / WORK EXPERIENCE

• PhD in plant sciences with minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in an international organization.
• Has a proven track record in delivering new varieties, relevant publications and IP.
• Has high expertise in plant breeding, -physiology and -pathology and keeps this knowledge up to date. Strong strategic planning ability.

SKILLS

• Proven leadership capability with experience in leading diverse teams.
• Excellent and clear communication skills (verbal and written).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Operates highly independently, is a team player, innovative and results driven with a practical and positive attitude.
• Must be able to portray and promote a positive image of the company’s corporate vision, mission and values. Independence
• Performs the job/duties independently, under the responsibility of the Pres/CEO North America (hierarchy) and the Global Director of R&D (functional).

CONTACTS 

• Maintains intensive internal and external contacts (among and with universities/research institutes).
• Conducts weekly consultations with the local plant breeders/researchers concerning the program.
• Consults weekly with the Pres/CEO and Director of R&D about current issues and frequently with the relevant CRM’s.
• Daily consultations with the Facility Managers about cultivation methods, labor and on-going work in close cooperation with the Corporate Station Manager.
• Maintains optimum contact with the commercial operations of Enza Zaden in North America.
• Leadership Directly oversees Plant Breeders, Facility Managers and indirectly all other employees of the plant breeding stations.

Working conditions

Frequently works under pressure. Is prepared to undertake frequent travel, both domestic and international.

APPLICATIONS

 Submit resumes to: resumes@enzausa.com