Function

Reporting to Head of Traits & Technologies, you will be central to enhancing the efficiency and technological advancement of our global breeding programs. You will lead a team based in the Netherlands focused on:

• NIR spectroscopy development and deployment
• Instrumentation for on‑machine data acquisition
• Automation of seed‑processing workflows

Your mission includes both driving innovation and ensuring reliable day‑to‑day support for multiple crops and breeding teams worldwide. You will also shape the mid‑term strategic direction of these technology platforms, aligning it with breeders’ needs and future opportunities.

Main Goal

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide clear direction, foster organizational efficiency, and uphold operational excellence.
• Ensure full compliance with company standards related to health, safety, environment, ethics, and regulatory requirements.

Operational Excellence

• Define, structure, and optimize processes through robust Quality Assurance practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the team.

Strategic & Financial Management

• Build, manage, and monitor the team’s budget.
• Report regularly on project progress, operational performance, and portfolio evolution.
• Identify and develop strong relationships with external technology providers.
• Define and maintain a mid‑term technology roadmap aligned with breeding needs and emerging innovations.

Collaboration & Departmental Contribution

• Collaborate closely with others internal platforms, crop research teams, and key external partners.
• Actively contribute to the leadership and global strategy of the Trait & Technologies department.

What we expect of you

• Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, technology, or agricultural sciences, with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong leadership skills demonstrated through project execution and team management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities with proven success in building and maintaining strong professional networks.
• Service‑oriented mindset with the ability to understand internal customer needs and deliver high‑quality support.
• Comfortable working in matrix organizations; agile, adaptable, and collaborative.
• Rigorous, methodical, and results‑driven.
• Proficiency in Dutch and English, written and spoken.
• Solid expertise in automation, advanced sensing technologies, mechanics, or related fields; experience in agriculture or breeding is a plus.