Manager Breeding Tomato

Enza Zaden Centro de Investigación; Almería; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Enza Zaden Centro de Investigación in Almería, Spain seeks a Manager Breeding Tomato to lead and strengthen breeding programs, translating strategy into robust execution and delivery.

You will manage large, cross‑functional teams and projects in a science‑driven, innovation‑focused organization, delivering long‑term value through genetics. This role reports to the Head of Breeding / Global Manager Breeding and requires travel as needed.

Qualifications

• HBO/Bachelor or higher in Plant Science or related field.
• 9–12 years breeding, variety development or applied R&D experience.
• Broad technical knowledge across breeding, research, and applied technologies.
• Proven people-management and leadership across cultures.
• Strong ability to align priorities with financial insights and customer needs.
• Experience in cross-functional environments with researchers, product developers, and commercial teams.
• Fluent in English and local language.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proven leadership of breeding programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of modern breeding methodologies, genetics, genomics, and data-driven breeding.
• Ability to execute breeding strategies aligned with business objectives and market needs.
• Strong leadership to foster collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management across functions, regions, and organizational levels.
• Commercial awareness and customer orientation.
• Advanced analytical thinking and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop breeding teams across cultures.
• Support development and realization of crop segment strategy within budgets and priorities.
• Develop and implement breeding strategies for one or multiple crop segments.
• Design and oversee breeding projects and research initiatives with clear objectives and delivery.
• Ensure optimal day-to-day breeding operations, including resource allocation.
• Drive adoption of new genetics, technologies, tools, and processes with Expert Breeders.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, aligning with R&D leaders and Expert Breeders.
• Provide strong project leadership in multidisciplinary initiatives with senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Cross-cultural collaboration

Project leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

English proficiency

Travel willingness

Stakeholder management

Data-driven breeding

Genetics & genomics knowledge

Education

Higher professional education (HBO/Bachelor or higher) in Plant Science or related field

Job description

Manager Breeding Tomato

Take responsibility for leading and strengthening breeding programs for one or multiple crop segments in a global and regional context. Play a pivotal role in translating crop strategy into robust breeding execution and delivery. Lead larger breeding teams and multidisciplinary projects in a science‑driven, innovation‑focused organization. Combine crop expertise, people leadership, and operational excellence to deliver long‑term value through genetics. Make a difference as Manager Breeding reporting to the Head of Breeding / Global Manager Breeding.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop breeding teams, ensuring strong performance, engagement, and capability development across cultures.
• Contribute as an active member of the Crop Supply Team, supporting the development and realization of crop segment strategy within agreed budgets and priorities.
• Develop and implement breeding strategies for one or multiple crop segments, aligned with crop strategies and long‑term objectives.
• Design and oversee breeding projects and research initiatives, ensuring clear objectives, prioritization, and effective delivery across programs.
• Ensure optimal day‑to‑day breeding operations, including performance monitoring and effective allocation of people, knowledge, and infrastructure to deliver breeding outcomes.
• Drive the adoption of new genetics, technologies, tools, and processes, strengthening innovation impact and future breeding capabilities in close collaboration with Expert Breeders.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing breeding processes and aligning priorities with R&D leaders and Expert Breeders.
• Provide strong project leadership in multidisciplinary initiatives, coordinating cross‑functional teams and ensuring alignment with senior stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• A higher professional education (HBO/Bachelor or higher), preferably in Plant Science or a related field.
• 9–12 years of relevant experience in breeding, variety development, or applied R&D within an agricultural or life‑science environment.
• Broad technical knowledge across disciplines supporting variety development, including breeding, research, and applied technologies.
• Proven people‑management and leadership experience, guiding larger teams and working effectively across cultures through delegation and empowerment.
• Strong ability to steer priorities based on financial insights and customer needs, linking breeding outcomes to commercial value.
• Experience working in cross‑functional and multidisciplinary environments, collaborating with researchers, product developers, and commercial teams.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency in English and the local language, both written and verbal.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Proven experience leading breeding programs and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of modern breeding methodologies, genetics, genomics, and data‑driven breeding approaches.
• Experience developing and executing breeding strategies aligned with business objectives and market needs.
• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire, develop, and coach teams in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high‑performing teams while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence across functions, regions, and organizational levels.
• Strong commercial awareness and customer orientation, translating market insights into breeding priorities.
• Advanced analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Proven ability to lead change, manage complexity, and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience collaborating effectively within global, cross‑functional networks, including Research, Product Development, Marketing, Production, and Sales.

Benefits

• Active partnership in professional development (personal growth).
• Tailor‑made leadership development programs and global e‑learning platform.
• Employer‑sponsored retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development through the Great to Grow program and global learning platform.
• Strong focus on health, well‑being, and engagement through various company initiatives and events.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity, or personal characteristics.