Product Development Specialist (Korea)

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 Specialist in the vegetable seeds business 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 Product Development Manager, Client Manager, and Sales Manager you will contribute to the strategy implementation of all crops in Korea: cucumber, pepper, tomato, etc. You will stay updated with industry trends, regulations, and best practices in seed development. As a Product Development Specialist, 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
• 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.

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 possess excellent analytical skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. 

Your communication and presentation skills are strong, and you excel in teamwork. 

You are organized, able to set priorities, and manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.  

Proficiency 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 working experience in Vegetables Seeds business and farm management, preferably vegetables export farms
• profound knowledge of the vegetable exporters’ needs 
• certificates which confirm your knowledge of vegetable production and sustainable farming practices: Global Gap, BRC, etc.
• confident knowledge of MS Office applications.

What can you expect from us?

Besides an entrepreneurial and good stable work environment with constant new challenges, we are happy to offer you:  

• a permanent contract from the start
• a good work and life balance
• an entrepreneurial work environment with new challenges
• various internal and external professional and personal training
• an extensive on-boarding program, supported by an international colleague.

Where will you be working? 

The Rijk Zwaan Korea office is in Gwangmyeong City and currently consists of a close‑knit team of five colleagues, with exciting growth ahead. Together, we support our partners across the region, working collaboratively to address the dynamic challenges of the horticultural market. At Rijk Zwaan, people are at the heart of our corporate culture. This means you can expect a supportive environment where your ideas matter and where you are given every opportunity to grow, develop, and shape your career.

Seokjoo, Product Development Specialist

“This is a place where I’m given real freedom, and the focus isn’t on results alone but on how I take ownership of my work.”

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.