As a Team Lead R&D, you will lead the team of research technicians to ensure the seamless execution of breeding, seed production and related activities. Your primary responsibility is to allocate resources effectively and efficiently to support breeding and seed production functions.

Key Responsibilities

Team Development & Leadership:

Train, motivate, and develop team members to optimise their skills and performance.

Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the team.

Activity Planning & Coordination:

Plan and oversee daily team activities, ensuring alignment with breeding needs.

Manage and adapt schedules for tasks such as:

Seed storage and shipment

Sowing, planting, and pollination

Quantitative phenotyping support

Seed extraction and data entry into internal systems

Phytosanitary protocol management and routine disease testing

Marker tests and traceability compliance

Operational Oversight:

Participate in and monitor team activities to ensure adherence to timelines.

Maintain budgetary oversight for team hours and resource allocation.

Collaboration:

Ensure smooth information exchange across functions.

Manage administrative tasks related to team operations.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced leader who thrives in a collaborative and dynamic environment. You should possess the following:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in agriculture, horticulture, crop production, or a related field.

Minimum 5 years of team management experience in the agricultural sector.

Key Skills:

Strong interpersonal skills to foster effective internal relationships.

Proven leadership abilities to anticipate needs, set clear goals, and inspire teams.

A lean mindset with the ability to challenge and optimise processes.

Highly organised, adaptable, and responsive to unexpected challenges.

Proficiency in professional communication (both written and oral).

Comfortable using software applications (e.g., Office Suite, internal tools).

Why Enza Zaden?

At Enza Zaden, we are a leading vegetable breeding company that develops and distributes high-quality seeds for growers worldwide. With over 2,800 passionate colleagues, we are dedicated to creating access to healthy and diverse vegetables for everyone. Join us in shaping the future of agriculture!