Team leader breeding carrot (H/F/X)

Rijk Zwaan; Aramon; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

Health insurance (employer funded)

Profit-sharing/savings plan

Retirement savings plan

Training opportunities

Job summary

Rijk Zwaan in Aramon, France, seeks a Team Leader Breeding Carrot to lead the breeding team and drive the carrot program to deliver innovative varieties to growers. The role requires coordinating breeders and assistants, setting priorities, and maintaining clear plans with measurable progress.

You will oversee multiple projects, inspire your team, and contribute to strategic meetings while traveling internationally as needed. A MSc in genetics/breeding and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in genetics and/or plant breeding.
• 10+ years of experience leading a breeding program.
• At least 3 years of experience managing a research team.
• Fluency in French and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead a breeding team of breeders and assistants.
• Drive a breeding program to deliver innovative carrot varieties.
• Coordinate across breeders, set clear objectives, timelines and deliverables.
• Contribute to strategic crop meetings and innovation initiatives.

Skills

Fluency in French and English

Education

MSc in Genetics and/or Plant Breeding

Job description

Research & Breeding

Master

Are you looking for that unique combination of leading people, organizing processes and breeding varieties? Do you have excellent communication skills? Then you are the Team Leader Breeding Carrot we are looking for our site in France (Aramon).

How does your job as Team leader breeding carrot look like ?

As a Team Leader in Carrot Breeding Department, you will combine two key responsibilities :

• Leading a breeding team , including breeders and assistants ;
• Driving a breeding program to deliver innovative varieties to growers.

In this role, it is essential to demonstrate excellent organizational and structural capabilities.

Managing a breeding program while coordinating multiple breeders requires clear planning, prioritization, and systematic execution. You will need to :

• Maintain a structured approach to align breeding objectives with crop strategy and market needs ;
• Coordinate effectively across breeders and assistants, ensuring clarity in roles, timelines, and deliverables ;
• Balance long-term strategic goals with day-to-day operational tasks, keeping progress visible and measurable ;
• Implement efficient processes that allow the team to work cohesively and adapt to evolving priorities.

Your ability to combine strong organizational skills with leadership will be key to driving innovation and delivering high-quality varieties for growers.

You will also be involved in :

• Inspiring and guiding your team in their projects, with a strong focus on personal development ;
• Developing your breeding programs to deliver products that fit growers needs ;
• Initiating new transversal projects that support strategic goals ;
• Preparing and contributing to strategic crop meetings ;
• Participating in innovation initiatives, including the development and implementation of new technologies and software in breeding.

You are proactive, communicative, and empathic. You naturally bring people together and enjoy providing structure and guidance.

You think in terms of solutions and opportunities, maintaining a clear focus on results in a multidisciplinary environment while engaging all stakeholders. You demonstrate excellent organizational skills.

Given the international nature of the role, you are willing to travel regularly, including overseas.

Your profile includes:

• MSc degree with specialization in genetics and/or plant breeding ;
• Proven 10 years’ experience in leading a breeding program ;
• At least 3 years of experience in managing a research team ;
• Fluency in French and English.

What can you expect from us ?

As Team Leader breeding, you will be part of the Top Cross department. Rijk Zwaan offers the opportunity to initiate and execute research that affects the world food supply. In addition to an international and dynamic working environment, we are pleased to offer you :

• a permanent contract right from the start ;
• an attractive salary (over 13 months) based on job level and experience ;
• a supplementary health insurance fully funded by the employer ;
• a company savings plan (profit-sharing) ;
• an additional retirement savings plan ;
• international training opportunities through our Rijk Zwaan Academy.