Manager Breeding Cucurbita (Squash & Pumpkin)

Enza Zaden France Recherche S.A.S.; Châteaurenard; Hybrid; EUR 69,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Hybrid work policy

Salary progression

Bonus scheme

Job summary

Enza Zaden is seeking an experienced Manager Breeding Cucurbita to oversee Squash and Pumpkin programs across three locations (Châteaurenard, Almeria, Voorst) and to shape international breeding strategy. You will lead diverse teams, coordinate priorities, and collaborate with global crop management to ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of varieties.

You will implement strategies, manage resources, and drive adoption of new technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's or engineering degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant sciences, or related field with several years in a similar role.
• Strong leadership to connect, develop and motivate your team.
• Excellent cross-cultural collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Fluent in French and English.
• Strategic thinking with technical breeding expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead breeding teams (6 breeders, 2 assistants) across Châteaurenard, Almeria and Voorst.
• Develop and implement Squash and Pumpkin breeding strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Contribute to Squash and Pumpkin strategy as a member of international crop management teams.
• Ensure performance of breeding programs through managing priorities, resources, expertise and infrastructure.
• Drive adoption of new technologies, tools and breeding approaches to strengthen innovation.
• Lead multidisciplinary projects with Research, Product Development and other functions.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication (French & English)

Education

Master's or engineering in agriculture/plant sciences

Job description

As Manager Breeding Cucurbita (Squash & Pumpkin)

As Manager Breeding Cucurbita, you are responsible for the success of the Squash and Pumpkin breeding programs on an international scale. You are responsible for developing and implementing breeding strategies to ensure a strong and sustainable pipeline of new varieties that meet grower and market needs.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing breeding teams (6 breeders and 2 assistants) on 3 locations (Châteaurenard, Almeria, Voorst).
• Developing and implementing breeding strategies for Squash and Pumpkin in alignment with the long-term objectives of the company.
• Actively contributing to the definition and execution of the Squash and Pumpkin strategy as a member of the international crop management teams.
• Ensuring the performance of breeding programs through effective management of priorities, resources, expertise and infrastructure.
• Driving the adoption of new technologies, tools and breeding approaches to strengthen innovation and future breeding capabilities.
• Leading multidisciplinary projects in collaboration with Research, Product Development and other business functions.

This position is located on our R&D station in Châteaurenard (France).

You will have regular interactions with your team, colleagues on-site, and abroad with regular business trips to Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey.

What you bring as our future colleague

• A master's degree or engineering degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant sciences, plant breeding, or a relatied field, with several years of experience on a similar position.
• Natural leadership skills with the ability to connect, develop, coach, motivate your team members.
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Very good communication skills in French and English.
• A sharp mind, you know when to step up the pace and can make quick decisions if necessary.
• Combination of technical expertise with leadership capabilities and strategic thinking.
• Flexibility, perseverance, pragmatism and results orientation.

Enza Zaden as an employer

Enza Zaden is an international family-owned company that has been developing innovative vegetable varieties since 1938. Together with more than 3,300 colleagues worldwide, we work on vegetable seeds with better flavor, higher yield and strong resistances. We do this from our mission: "Breeding to feed the world." Every day, more than 480 million people eat vegetables grown from our seeds, and that is something we are very proud of. We're passionate about our work and care about one another. Good ideas are given room to grow and together we keep moving forward. This is how we continue to grow and innovate, both as a company and as colleagues.

What you can expect from us

• A permanent employment contract.
• An annual arrangement of 211 working days.
• A company car.
• A transparent compensation policy, including continuous salary progression and a bonus scheme.
• A development program designed to support the growth and success of every employee.
• A hybrid working arrangement governed by a remote work policy.
• A gross annual salary ranging from €68,600 to €97,900 (depending on your experience, skills, and profile).

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

Great Place To Grow - Breeding to feed the world, creating value for sustainable life and living. Haven't found the right role yet? Be the first to hear about opportunities that match your profile. Our employees are the driving power of our company. From their specific sphere of expertise, each individual contributes to creating the vegetable varieties of the future. We rely on specialists and the wide-ranging skills amassed by people with years of experience in the field. And the innovative vision of interns and newcomers. We value this knowledge and experience and therefore invest in our people by providing plenty of opportunity for personal development and advancement. Take a look at our current vacancies and see if there is an opportunity that suits you.