Vacancies

Privacy Statement Rijk Zwaan Careers

1. Introduction
This privacy statement applies to the processing of personal data of applicants, participants in (online) events, and other interested parties (hereinafter collectively referred to as “data subjects” or “you”) by Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V. and all affiliated subsidiaries, hereinafter collectively referred to as “Rijk Zwaan” or “We”.
We are Rijk Zwaan, an international vegetable breeding company (www.rijkzwaan.com/en). Our headquarters is located in De Lier, the Netherlands.
In this privacy statement, we explain why and how we process your personal data. We reserve the right to amend this privacy statement at our discretion and at any time if new developments warrant it.
If you have any questions about this privacy statement, you can contact us via privacy@rijkzwaan.com.

2. Which personal data do we process?
“Processing” personal data means that Rijk Zwaan may: collect, record, organize, store, update, modify, retrieve, consult, use, disclose or distribute, combine, shield, erase, or destroy such data.
We process the personal data you provide in your CV and cover letter when you apply. The following personal data are relevant during the application process: your name, email address, place of residence, phone number, work experience, education, and other personal data mentioned in your CV and cover letter.
We also process personal data you provide during conversations, interviews, via email with Rijk Zwaan, and/or after consulting public sources.
During in-house days and (online) events, we process contact details such as your name, email address, phone number, and/or relevant work experience and education. We may also request your CV and motivation before or after the event. Rijk Zwaan may take photos and videos during (online) events and use this visual material on the website, in brochures, or other communications.
Applicants may be asked to participate in an assessment if required for the position to evaluate competencies. After notifying the applicant and receiving their cooperation, we will share the necessary personal data with the assessment provider.
You can reach us through various channels: for example, by phone, mail, email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram. To enable this, we process personal data.

3. For what purposes do we process personal data?
In connection with our recruitment activities, we collect and process personal data of data subjects, including but not limited to processing personal data for:

  • Evaluating your suitability for the vacancy;
  • Communicating about the recruitment process;
  • Checking references, conducting screenings, and assessments to gain better insight into the candidate’s qualifications;
  • Preparing an offer and potentially drafting your employment contract;
  • Sending job alerts and/or general information about our organization;
  • Registering attendance and hosting (online) events and/or in-house days.

Personal data provided when applying for an international position may be shared with our international employees.
Rijk Zwaan uses “custom audiences” via social media platforms. This is done by us or by partners acting on our behalf. We use Facebook and LinkedIn targeting to show (personalized) advertisements for vacancies and/or to approach individuals for a vacancy.
Additionally, personal data may be used for statistical research and to improve our recruitment and selection procedures.

4. Who has access to your personal data?
Access to your personal data is limited to our HR department, management, and employees involved in interviews.
It may be necessary to share personal data with third parties who assist us with screenings, assessments, or (online) events and in-house days. Personal data provided during the application process may be shared with our international employees, for example, to determine if you are suitable for a different position than the one you applied for.
Our external IT providers who support our IT systems may also have access. We require these companies to adequately protect personal data.

5.How long do we retain your personal data?
We retain personal data for two years in a secure environment to inform you about new vacancies and events and to use the data for a (new) application.
If you become an employee at Rijk Zwaan, the personal data provided during the recruitment process will become part of your personnel file and will be processed in accordance with our internal policy.
If requested by the data subject, personal data will be deleted within four weeks.

6. How do we secure your personal data?
Rijk Zwaan has implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to prevent loss or unauthorized processing of personal data. These include secure servers, regular software updates, firewalls, encryption, and physical security of locations where personal data are stored.
For questions about the security or processing of personal data, or if there are indications or suspicions of data or system misuse, please contact privacy@rijkzwaan.com.

7. Where do we process your personal data?
Rijk Zwaan is a globally operating organization with headquarters in De Lier, the Netherlands. Your personal data is stored and processed within the EU and/or the country of the specific vacancy you applied for.
In some cases, personal data of EU residents may be transferred outside the European Economic Area (“EEA”), but always in accordance with European legislation and with proper protection of your privacy.

8. Rights of Data Subjects
Rijk Zwaan only processes your personal data if you have given your consent. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have several rights. To exercise these rights, you can contact us via privacy@rijkzwaan.com.

  • Right of access: If you wish to view the personal data we process about you, please contact us.
  • Right to rectification: If you believe we have incorrect data about you, we will correct it.
  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): You may request the deletion of your personal data that we process. Please note that we may still need to process certain data for other purposes (e.g., for administrative reasons).
  • Right to restriction of processing: If you believe we are processing your personal data unlawfully or inaccurately, you may request that the processing be restricted.
  • Right to object: If you object to the processing of your personal data, we will stop the processing as soon as possible.
  • Right to data portability: If you wish to have your personal data transferred, please contact us.

If you have given consent for receiving job alerts or general information, you may withdraw that consent at any time. To withdraw your consent, please contact us.

To exercise any of the above rights, please send an email to privacy@rijkzwaan.com. Once we have received and confirmed your request, we will process it unless an exception applies. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable legislation.

If you have a complaint about how we process your personal data, you can report it via privacy@rijkzwaan.com. If this does not lead to a satisfactory outcome, you also have the right to file a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority via https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl.

9. Contact
If you have any questions or comments about this privacy statement, the ways in which we collect and use your personal data, your choices and rights regarding such use, or if you wish to exercise any of your rights, please do not hesitate to contact us via privacy@rijkzwaan.com.

This privacy statement was last updated on 2 September 2025.