Team leader breeding lettuce

How does your job as Team leader breeding lettuce look like ?

As a Team Leader in Lettuce Breeding Department, you will combine two key responsibilities :

• Leading a breeding team of 9 colleagues, including breeders, selection coordinators and assistants ;
• Driving a breeding program to deliver innovative varieties to growers.

In this role, it is essential to demonstrate excellent organizational and structural capabilities. 

Managing a breeding program while coordinating multiple breeders requires clear planning, prioritization, and systematic execution. You will need to :

• Maintain a structured approach to align breeding objectives with crop strategy and market needs ;
• Coordinate effectively across breeders and assistants, ensuring clarity in roles, timelines, and deliverables ;
• Balance long-term strategic goals with day-to-day operational tasks, keeping progress visible and measurable ;
• Implement efficient processes that allow the team to work cohesively and adapt to evolving priorities.

Your ability to combine strong organizational skills with leadership will be key to driving innovation and delivering high-quality varieties for growers.

You will also be involved in :

• Inspiring and guiding your team in their projects, with a strong focus on personal development ;
• Developing your breeding programs to deliver products that fit growers needs ;
• Initiating new transversal projects that support strategic goals ;
• Preparing and contributing to strategic crop meetings ;
• Participating in innovation initiatives, including the development and implementation of new technologies and software in breeding.

What will be your contribution ?

You are proactive, communicative, and empathic. You naturally bring people together and enjoy providing structure and guidance. 

You think in terms of solutions and opportunities, maintaining a clear focus on results in a multidisciplinary environment while engaging all stakeholders. You demonstrate excellent organizational skills.

Given the international nature of the role, you are willing to travel regularly, including overseas.

Your profile includes:

• MSc degree with specialization in genetics and/or plant breeding ;
• Proven 10 years’ experience in leading a breeding program ;
• At least 3 years of experience in managing a research team ;
• Fluency in French and English.

What can you expect from us ?

As Team Leader breeding, you will be part of the Lettuce department. Rijk Zwaan offers the opportunity to initiate and execute research that affects the world food supply. In addition to an international and dynamic working environment, we are pleased to offer you :

• a permanent contract right from the start ;
• an attractive salary (over 13 months) based on job level and experience ;
• a supplementary health insurance fully funded by the employer ;
• a company savings plan (profit-sharing) ;
• an additional retirement savings plan ;
• international training opportunities through our Rijk Zwaan Academy.