Breeding Principal: Lead Onion & Root Crops Strategy

Enza Zaden Services B.V.; Enkhuizen; On-site; EUR 87,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop & phone

Company car

Accommodation support for relocation

Great to Grow development program

Flexible retirement plan

Job summary

Enza Zaden seeks a Breeding Principal to shape long-term crop strategies into actionable breeding directions. You will lead in collaboration with R&D and commercial teams, integrating scientific excellence with market needs to strengthen breeding pipelines and drive innovation across programs.

You will co-lead the crop group, serving as a technical authority and mentor, while ensuring governance and performance across programs in an international setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Plant Science or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in plant breeding with a strong track record of delivering impact.
• Recognized expertise in plant breeding, modern breeding methodologies, and phytopathology, with extensive breeding experience in onion and root crops.
• Deep understanding of market dynamics and customer needs, enabling you to connect breeding direction with commercial value.
• Proven experience leading complex breeding programs and driving continuous improvement across multiple programs or crop segments.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills in multidisciplinary and international environments.
• Experience in coaching and developing breeders and other technical professionals.
• Excellent command of English and the local language, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Contributing to crop group strategy and planning by translating crop segment strategies into breeding targets, priorities, and processes aligned with Business Dynamics.
• Co-leading the crop group in a dual management structure, ensuring strong governance, alignment, and performance across breeding programs.
• Acting as a recognized technical authority in plant breeding, modern breeding methodologies, and phytopathology for the crop group.
• Driving innovation through the development and implementation of new breeding concepts, techniques, and crop opportunities with high strategic impact.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen the quality, efficiency, and performance of breeding programs across crop segments.
• Coaching and mentoring breeders while safeguarding critical knowledge and strengthening technical expertise throughout the breeding community.
• A valued member of the Crop Group Management Team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Influencing

Travel

Education

Master's or PhD in Plant Science

Job description

Enza Zaden seeks a Breeding Principal to shape long-term crop strategies into actionable breeding directions. You will lead in collaboration with R&D and commercial teams, integrating scientific excellence with market needs to strengthen breeding pipelines and drive innovation across programs.

You will co-lead the crop group, serving as a technical authority and mentor, while ensuring governance and performance across programs in an international setting.