Breeding Director Allium and Crucifers

Limagrain; Made; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days paid holidays

13 days ATV

Flexible working hours

Lease-a-bike

Commuting allowance

Career opportunities within Limagrain

Job summary

Limagrain Hazera seeks a Breeding Director – Allium and Crucifers to lead the global onion and crucifer breeding strategy, delivering innovative, sustainable varieties for growers, supply chains, retailers, processors, and consumers worldwide.

Reporting to the Global Head of R&D, this role provides scientific and organizational leadership for international teams, integrating genomics, AI, and data analytics into breeding decisions while collaborating with R&D, Product Management, and Commercial

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Science, Horticulture, or related discipline preferred or MS with at least 5 years of breeding experience and breeding team management.
• Experience leading international, multidisciplinary breeding teams.
• Proven success leading onion/ crucifer breeding programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global onion and crucifer breeding strategy.
• Lead the global breeding pipeline from germplasm development through commercial product launch.
• Ensure integration of genomics, phenomics, AI, predictive breeding, and data analytics into breeding decisions.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Applied Genetics, Crop Research, Seed Production, Commercial, and R&D Operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing international breeding team.
• Manage breeding portfolio investments, budgets, KPIs, and resource allocation.
• Represent the breeding program with external partners and scientific organizations.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Genomic selection

Marker-assisted breeding

Digital phenotyping

Hybrid breeding

Breeding informatics

Data-driven decisions

Leadership capabilities

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding / Genetics

M.S. with 5+ years breeding experience

Job description

Job Title: Breeding Director Allium and Crucifers

Job Location: Made

Contract type: N/A

Job Description:

Main Goal

The Breeding Director – Allium and Crucifers is accountable for defining and leading Hazera’s global onion & Crucifer’s breeding strategy to deliver innovative, sustainable, and differentiated varieties that deliver value and meet the evolving needs of growers, supply chain partners, retailers, processors, and consumers worldwide.
Reporting to the Global Head of R&D , this role provides scientific, strategic, and organizational leadership for the global onion and crucifer breeding programs. The Director leads international multidisciplinary breeding teams across multiple regions while fostering collaboration with Product Management, Crop Research, Breeding Technologies , Data Science, R&D Operations, Seed Production, and Commercial teams.
The successful candidate champions innovation, accelerate genetic gain, strengthens global collaboration, and builds a high-performing breeding organization supporting the company's long-term strategic objectives . The Allium & Crucifer’s breeding Director is also part of the R&D management team and a key contributor in the Limagrain Vegetable Seeds Strategic Crop reviews.

Job description

• Develop and execute the global onion and crucifer breeding strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the global breeding pipeline from germplasm development through commercial product launch.
• Ensure effective integration of contemporary breeding technologies, including genomics, phenomics, AI, predictive breeding, and data analytics into breeding decisions.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Applied Genetics , Crop Research, Seed Production, Commercial, and R&D Operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing international breeding team.
• Manage breeding portfolio investments, budgets, KPIs, and resource allocation.
• Represent the breeding program with external partners and scientific organizations.

Candidate profile

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Science, Horticulture, or related discipline preferred or MS with at least 5 years of breeding experience and breeding team management.
• Several years of progressive experience in commercial vegetable breeding.
• Demonstrated success leading onion/ Crucifers or comparable vegetable breeding programs.
• Experience managing international, multidisciplinary teams.

Technical Expertise

• Allium & Crucifers breeding experience a plus
• Quantitative genetics
• Hybrid breeding
• Genomic selection
• Marker-assisted breeding
• Digital phenotyping
• Experimental design
• Statistical genetics
• Product advancement
• Breeding informatics and data-driven decision making

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic vision
• Customer focus
• Innovation leadership
• People development
• Business acumen
• Executive communication
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Results orientation
• Change management

Success Measures

• Commercially successful allium & Crucifer’s varieties
• Increased genetic gain
• Efficient breeding pipeline
• Adoption of modern breeding technologies
• High-performing teams
• Strong collaboration across R&D and Commercial
• Operational excellence

Your benefits and working environment

• 25 days paid holidays (by full time employment)
• 13 days paid ATV (by full time employment)
• Vitality leave to facilitate sustainable employability (number of days depending on age)
• Holiday allowance of 8,33%
• Flexible working hours (depending on the job)
• Lease-a-bike to promote sustainable employability
• Discount on collective health insurances with CZ and Nationale Nederlanden
• Commuting allowance according to the CLA for Horticultural Seed Companies
• Free fresh fruits
• Free fresh vegetables to take home in the growing season
• CLA for Horticultural Seed Companies
• Career opportunities within Limagrain Group (access to all vacancies, locally & abroad)
• Leaning & Development opportunities (Limagrain Group)
• Working with passionate colleagues
• Active Employee Association (regular events, e BBQ & Padel)

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process consists of two interviews (we may deviate from this process in particular cases, in which you will be informed in advance.)
Thefirst interviewfocuses on understanding the candidate’s background, experience, and motivation for the role, as well as assessing overall fit.
Thesecond interviewis more in-depth and explores role-specific skills, competencies, and alignment with the team and company culture. A final decision is made following this stage.

Candidates may be asked to complete anassessmentdesigned to evaluate role-specific skills.

Hazera is a global leader in the development of high-quality hybrid seeds. As part of the Limagrain Group, an international agricultural cooperative based in France, we have headquarters in Israel and the Netherlands. With 11 subsidiaries and a vast distribution network in over 130 markets worldwide. We represent a global community of experts and stakeholders, committed to making a positive impact on the present and future of agriculture. We take this responsibility seriously, striving to make a greater impact and recognizing the importance of every seed, person, and partnership.

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne‑Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri‑food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.