Product Development Manager, Egypt

In this new role as a Product Development Manager, you will manage and optimize our open field vegetable crops for Rijk Zwaan in Egypt.

Egypt , Nationwide
Research & Breeding | Marketing & Sales
Bachelor

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Your Job at Rijk Zwaan

We are expanding in the region and to strengthen our team we are looking for an additional member. The Product Development Manager in Rijk Zwaan Egypt plays a crucial role in managing and optimizing our crop portfolio. This role involves research, product development trials, and collaboration with various departments to ensure the successful introduction of new seed varieties.   

Acting as an interface between the Breeders, Client Manager, and Sales Manager you will contribute to the strategy implementation of all our open field vegetable crops in Egypt: Melon, brassica, lettuce, etc. You will stay updated with industry trends, regulations, and best practices in seed development. As a Product Development Manager, you will maintain an in-depth understanding of market trends, exporters' needs, and competitor varieties.  

Moreover, you will be responsible for the following: 

Providing technical support to key producers (exporters) and leveraging technical knowledge to assist the exporter’s technical team
Leading product development activities such as planning and evaluating key trials, organizing demonstration trials, and collecting trial results to refine the product positioning and conclude on the best varieties for Egypt
Forecasting on varieties in cooperation with the Client and Sales manager
Organizing events, such as Field days, or participating in the local exhibitions to introduce new varieties
Decide on the trial seed division throughout the country

Your contribution

You are passionate about horticulture and follow all the market trends in the industry. You possess profound knowledge of the vegetable exporters’ needs and trends. You have a deep understanding of vegetable production and sustainable farming practices. Your strong customer focus and performance management skills are key strengths. You are able to build long term relations with internal and external stakeholders and are a good negotiator, while maintaining these relations. 

You possess excellent analytical skills, strategic and long term thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Your communication and presentation skills are strong, and you excel in teamwork. You are pro-active, organized, able to set priorities and can manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.  

Fluency in English is essential for working smoothly in an international environment and team. Your ability to collaborate across boundaries ensures you contribute significantly to the team’s success.  Moreover, we can find on your cv: 

A bachelor’s degree in agriculture/ Horticulture 
Minimum 10 years of experience in the vegetable seeds business or in farm management, preferably vegetable exporting farms.
Knowledge in product development

What can you expect from us?

You will join the team of Rijk Zwaan Egypt which consists of around 40 people. Besides an entrepreneurial and good stable work environment with constant new challenges, we are happy to offer you:  

A permanent contract from the start
An extensive on-boarding program, supported by an international colleague
Various training via the Rijk Zwaan Academy

Where will you be working?

Rijk Zwaan Egypt is established in 2009. We started with the sales of vegetable seeds of different crops and now sell our products throughout Egypt.  We are going to increase our activities in Egypt in the coming years. Now Rijk Zwaan Egypt consists of around 40 colleagues. The atmosphere in the team is professional, open and pleasant where people are encouraged to develop and grow as professionals. We are a united team with a high-team spirit conquering the challenges together and listening to all team-member’s ideas and suggestions. 

Ahmed Farouk, Co-Ordinator Warehouse, Egypt:

“I truly feel that Rijk Zwaan is a beautiful family. I see my colleagues as my own family, especially when it comes to their care and concern for my well- being and my loved ones. Whenever there is a health issue affecting me or my family, they show genuine interest and care by inquiring about us and ensuring our well-being. I see this as a policy of Rijk Zwaan, where care is not limited to the employee alone but extends to their families and personal problems. This aspect is what I love about Rijk Zwaan.”  

 Rijk Zwaan is an international family-owned company with a people-oriented culture. Rijk Zwaan is right at the start of the food chain. We develop vegetable varieties and sell the seeds produced from them globally to growers and other chain partners. From our strategic position we contribute to the world food supply. Everything we do is about healthy growth. The growth of natural and healthy products that we export around the world. The growth of our company, which currently employs over 4000 people in more than 30 countries. And above all the growth of our people: we give you every opportunity to use your own initiative and achieve your full potential.

Interested?

Let us work together for the vegetables of tomorrow! Click on 'Apply now' to submit your application. You can address your cover letter in English to Tarek El-said Abdue Ismail, Managing Director of Rijk Zwaan Egypt. Please address why you would like to work at Rijk Zwaan and why you are interested in this specific position.
Our team will consider your application carefully, which may take some time. You will hear from us as soon as possible. An assessment will be part of the procedure.