Manager Crop Production

Enza Zaden; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 67,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great to Grow program

Annual bonus 15%

25 vacation days

Laptop provided

Mobile phone provided

Remote work allowance

Retirement plan

Commuting reimbursement

OpenUp mental well‑being support

Bike‑to‑work program

Job summary

Enza Zaden BV is seeking a Manager Crop Production to lead global seed production for Mid Tech Leafy and Open Field crops. You will drive performance across quality, quantity and cost, coordinating with cross‑functional teams to deliver strategic crop plans and improve processes.

You will guide a team of Production Specialists/Planners, manage international collaboration, and ensure regulatory compliance while fostering continuous improvement in the production chain.

Qualifications

• University level (WO, Master, University) preferably in plant science, supply chain or business agricultural engineering.
• 9–12 years of work experience in seed production or seed supply chain.
• Experience in leading and developing teams, and driving cross‑functional collaboration with stakeholders at different levels.
• Proficiency in tools like Excel, ERP systems, planning systems.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (preferably also in Dutch).
• Willingness to travel internationally and work in a dynamic, time‑sensitive environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Production Specialists and Production Planners to secure global seed production.
• Be accountable for global seed production performance with quality, quantity, cost and timing targets.
• Lead and contribute to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) including capacity management.
• Participate in cross‑functional crop teams to develop and execute strategic crop plans.
• Drive collaboration with Supply Chain, R&D, Portfolio Management and Marketing and Sales.
• Develop business cases and lead projects to improve processes, seed technology and cost efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with phytosanitary regulations.
• Align with external producers and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

People development

Strategic planning

ERP systems

Excel

Planning systems

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in Plant Science or related field

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Planning systems

Job description

Lead global seed production and help shape the future of sustainable agriculture! As Manager Crop Production at Enza Zaden, you will have a key role in securing reliable and efficient global seed production for our Mid Tech Leafy and Open Field crops. While connecting people, processes, and strategy you drive operational excellence and support innovation to contribute to the success of our worldwide vegetable breeding programs. Make a difference as Manager Crop Production. As Manager Crop Production you are responsible for the global seed production of Mid Tech Leafy and Open Field crops and play a key role in delivering on Enza Zaden’s strategic objectives. You combine leadership with operational focus to ensure performance on quality, quantity, cost, and timing. Working closely with your team and cross‑functional stakeholders, you drive continuous improvement across the full production chain. In this role you will, amongst others:

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of Production Specialists and Production Planners;
• Be accountable for global seed production performance, ensuring delivery against the right quality, quantity, cost, and timing targets;
• Lead and actively contribute to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), including tactical production capacity management;
• Participate in cross‑functional crop (segment) teams to develop and execute strategic crop plans;
• Drive collaboration with Supply Chain, R&D, Portfolio Management and Marketing and Sales to support variety development and producibility;
• Develop business cases and lead projects to improve processes, seed technology, and cost efficiency;
• Ensure compliance with (phytosanitary) regulations;
• Drive alignment with external producers and partners.

What you bring as our future colleague As Manager Crop Production, you take ownership and combine a strong business mindset with people leadership. You know how to balance operational challenges with long‑term goals and use your analytical skills to make informed decisions that improve performance across the production chain. In addition, you have:

• University level (WO, Master, University) preferably in plant science, supply chain or business agricultural engineering
• 9 to 12 years of work experience in seed production or seed supply chain
• Experience in leading and developing teams, and driving cross‑functional collaboration with stakeholders at different levels
• Proficiency in tools like excel, ERP systems, planning systems
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (preferably also in Dutch)
• Willingness to travel internationally and work in a dynamic, time‑sensitive environment

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 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. Let’s count on:

• A position for 38 hours per week;
• A gross monthly salary between €5,974.10 and €8,534.42, 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 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.

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.