Global Manager Breeding Brassica, Asparagus and Leek

Enza Zaden; Enkhuizen; On-site; EUR 87,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop and phone

Company car

Accommodation support

Remote work allowance

Great to Grow program

Annual bonus

Job summary

Enza Zaden is seeking a Global Manager Breeding to translate strategy into execution and deliver strong breeding performance across crop segments. You will lead and develop breeding teams, align with Crop Segment Teams, Sales, and R&D to ensure delivery of strategic initiatives.

You will influence across regions, combine strategic insight with hands-on leadership, and drive continuous improvement in breeding programs within an international environment. The role reports to the VP Breeding.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Plant Science or related field.
• 12-15 years of relevant experience in plant breeding, crop development, and breeding program leadership.
• Strong breeding and technical expertise, including experience managing breeding programs and teams.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into execution and deliver results through hands-on leadership.
• Solid business and financial understanding, enabling effective prioritization and resource allocation.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, innovation adoption, and cross-functional collaboration in a global environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead breeding strategy and execution for Brassica, Asparagus and Leek across crop segments.
• Translate breeding strategy into actionable breeding programs and ensure execution of crop and business plans.
• Develop and implement breeding strategies that strengthen the pipeline and long-term value.
• Lead OGSM planning and execution within scope with measurable outcomes.
• Drive innovation adoption in collaboration with Breeding Principal and R&D functions.
• Collaborate with Crop Segment Teams, Sales, research partners and stakeholders for alignment.
• Be a valued member of the Business Dynamic team and Crop Group Management Team.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Breeding knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Plant Science or related field

Job description

Strong breeding programs are the foundation of long-term crop success. As Global Manager Breeding, you will lead breeding strategy and execution for one or more crop segments, ensuring high-quality program delivery and continuous improvement. You will combine strategic responsibility with hands‑on leadership, working closely with breeding teams, product development, and commercial stakeholders. This is how you contribute to a strong innovation pipeline and sustainable value creation for Enza Zaden and for our customers.

Make a difference as Global Manager Breeding

As Global Manager Breeding, you are responsible for translating breeding strategy of Brassica, Asparagus and Leek into effective execution and delivering strong breeding performance across your crop segment(s). Reporting to the Vice President Breeding, you work closely with breeding teams and Crop Segment Teams, ensuring alignment between business priorities, breeding objectives, and operational delivery. You combine strategic insight with hands‑on leadership and play a key role in strengthening breeding capabilities, innovation adoption, and long‑term pipeline development.

In this role, your work will include:

• Leading and developing breeding teams, ensuring strong performance, engagement, and capability development.
• Translating breeding strategy into actionable breeding programs and ensuring successful execution of crop and business plans.
• Developing and implementing breeding strategies that strengthen the pipeline and create long‑term value for assigned crop segments.
• Leading OGSM planning and execution within your scope, ensuring measurable outcomes and delivery of objectives.
• Driving innovation adoption in collaboration with the Breeding Principal and other R&D functions to continuously improve breeding programs.
• Collaborating closely with Crop Segment Teams, Sales, research partners, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• A valued member of both the Business Dynamic team and the Crop Group Management Team.

What you bring as our future colleague

As Global Manager Breeding, you are an inspiring and driven leader who enjoys building, coaching, and developing high‑performing teams, while staying close to the core of breeding and delivering strategic impact. You know how to connect long‑term vision with day‑to‑day execution and can effectively engage and influence stakeholders across functions and regions. With your collaborative mindset and strong leadership skills, you create focus, build capability, and deliver results through others in an international environment.

In addition, you have:

• A Master’s degree in Plant Science or a related field.
• 12-15 years of relevant experience in plant breeding, crop development, and breeding program leadership.
• Strong breeding and technical expertise, including experience managing breeding programs and teams.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into execution and deliver results through hands‑on leadership.
• Solid business and financial understanding, enabling effective prioritization and resource allocation.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, innovation adoption, and cross‑functional collaboration in a global environment.

Enza Zaden as your 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 yields 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 are 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

We believe it is important that you can grow in your work and feel good about what you do. That is why we invest in your development, well‑being, and job satisfaction. Through our Great to Grow development program, our focus on vitality, and activities that bring colleagues together, we create a work environment where you can keep learning and contribute with energy and enjoyment.

You can also count on:

• A position for 38 hours per week;
• A gross monthly salary between €7,774.05 and €11,105.78 based on a full‑time workweek of 38 hours and aligned with your knowledge and experience;
• 8.33% vacation allowance and an attractive annual bonus program of 15% of your annual salary, depending on your job level and company performance;
• 25 vacation days, the option to purchase additional vacation days, and one paid vitality day per year, with extra vacation days granted as you get older;
• A laptop and mobile phone provided by Enza Zaden;
• A company car;
• A contribution toward overnight accommodation costs if you live farther away from Enza Zaden. This program applies to employees working for Enza Zaden in the Netherlands whose one‑way commute exceeds 100 kilometers and 75 minutes;
• An attractive retirement plan, commuting reimbursement if you live more than 10 kilometers from your workplace and a remote work allowance when working partly from home in consultation with your manager;
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth through our Great to Grow development program, training courses, workshops, and e‑learning platform;
• Plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of your daily work through social events organized by the Staff Association, as well as Young Enza networking events, inspiration sessions, and social gatherings. We also host an annual summer barbecue, Christmas market and New Year’s reception;
• A strong focus on your health and well‑being, including free fresh fruit, healthy lunch options at the office, a bike‑to‑work program, sports activities through enzActive, and mental well‑being support through OpenUp.

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

Want to learn more about Enza Zaden? Visit our website.

An assessment is part of the application process. This role cannot be filled on an interim basis.