Breeder

LIMAGRAIN; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Company vehicle

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Limagrain, HM.CLAUSE unit, in Spain seeks a Melon Breeder (F/H) based in Almería to drive varietal development within a global team. You will lead breeding programs, manage germplasm and hybrids, and implement strategies across diverse markets.

You will collaborate with international breeders, leverage cutting-edge technologies, monitor markets, and travel 25–30% to evaluate trials in Spain and abroad. Fluency in English is required with a French plus.

Qualifications

• Master degree in Plant Breeding with at least 5 years in breeding programs.
• Strong leadership and project management abilities.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Spanish or French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop a breeding strategy aligned with R&D objectives.
• Lead program execution with BU teams and trial networks.
• Develop germplasm and parental lines with innovative traits.
• Create new hybrids matching market needs and ensure seed supply.
• Utilize modern technologies and data analysis to optimize breeding.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Development and Sales; travel 25-30%.

Skills

Team management

English fluency

French a plus

Education

Master's degree in Plant Breeding

5+ years in breeding programs

Job description

MELON BREEDER (F/H)

The fourth largest seed company in the world, Limagrain is an international cooperative group created and led by French farmers. As a creator and producer of plant varieties, Limagrain markets field crop seeds, vegetable seeds, and cereal-based products.

HM.Clause, a Business Unit of the Limagrain Group, is a global leader in the development, production, and marketing of vegetable seeds. HM.Clause ranks among the top five vegetable seed companies worldwide. With more than 2,000 varieties across over 20 vegetable crops, HM.Clause provides innovative solutions to growers around the world.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Based at La Mojonera, (Almería/ Spain), one of our global R&D stations focused on plant Breeding, you will contribute to the development of our varietal range, by joining our international breeding team for the Melon programs. You will collaborate with teams from different parts of the world, in our Business Unit (BU) HM.CLAUSE and within the Limagrain Group.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a breeding strategy based on defined company’s R&D objectives
• You will ensure the implementation of the program, by collaborating with the different teams of the BU
• You will make optimal use of the available trial network and resources (human, financial, material, etc.)
• You will develop germplasm and parental lines by integrating innovative traits,
• You will develop new hybrids corresponding to market needs,
• Guarantee the supply of homogeneous and stable basic seeds,
• Optimize the breeding program through the use of modern technologies and data analysis tools,
• Maintain your knowledge of products and markets, through technological monitoring and regular interactions with the Marketing, Development and Sales departments
• Participate in various cross-functional projects with research teams at the BU level and those of the Limagrain Group
• Manage a small local team and work closely with other breeders of our international team
• You will be travelling :25/30% of your time to strategic markets to evaluate/select trials in Spain and abroad

PROFILE

You hold a Master degree in Plant Breeding and have at least 5 years of experience in similar position, in particular in breeding programs implementation.

Results-oriented, you are attracted by new breeding technologies as well as field work.

Your analytical and project management skills, as well as your scientific and commercial curiosity, will be your assets to carry out your missions and be proactive in terms of innovation.

Finally, you are recognized as a good "team player" & enjoy interacting in an international environment. Fluency in English (or Spanish if English-speaker) is necessary and an intermediate level of French would be a plus.

Skills

Experience in team management is required

Your Benefits And Working Environment

Joining us means becoming part of our Global Melon Breeding Team, part of which is based in Almería (Spain), working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to innovation and the development of sustainable solutions for the agriculture of tomorrow.

• A high level of autonomy and ownership to drive your breeding strategy and projects.
• An intensive working schedule that supports work-life balance.
• A hybrid working model.
• Opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning and international collaboration.
• Health insurance and additional employee benefits.
• A company vehicle.