Job Description
Posting Start Date:
4/15/26
Offer ID:
2105
Unit:
Limagrain Field Seeds Research
Job Title:
Head of Cereals & Pulses Research (F/M)
Job Location:
Chappes, Peine Rosenthal, Verneuil l'Etang
Contract type:
Permanent
Job Description:
About the role
We are looking for an experienced research leader to head our global cereals (wheat, barley) and pulses breeding activities within Limagrain Field Seeds Research.
Based in Chappes (France), you will steer a worldwide portfolio of breeding programs and R&D projects across Europe, Asia, North and South America (including Canada), Mediterranean countries and Africa. While the position is ideally based at our Limagrain Research Center in Chappes (France), we may consider another Limagrain Field Seeds research station in Europe for an outstanding candidate.
You will report to the Head of LFS Research and will play a central role at the interface between R&D, territories and strategic marketing.
Your main responsibilities
Set the strategy and drive impact
- Define, together with LFS Research management and the business, the short-, medium- and long-term objectives for cereals and pulses breeding, as well as the target product portfolio.
- Define and deploy the appropriate strategy (team, organization, breeding strategy) to deliver the defined objectives.
- Lead the global cereals and pulses R&D portfolio (strategy and budget), allocating resources across breeding, traits and technologies to deliver innovative varieties meeting market needs.
- Co-build trait discovery and development strategies with trait leaders and T&T teams (GM and native traits)
Lead global breeding programs
- Ensure timely product delivery aligned with business needs.
- Lead worldwide cereals and pulses breeding programs, from breeding strategy and germplasm optimization to technology deployment and product delivery, in close collaboration with regional breeding teams and key stakeholders.
- Integrate advanced technologies (genomics, molecular markers, digital tools, high-throughput phenotyping, data analytics, rapid cycling) to accelerate genetic gain and improve efficiency.
- Monitor and report key performance indicators (genetic gain, germplasm usage, network quality, seed productivity, etc.) to Research and territorial management
Connect regions and functions
- Foster strong cross-regional collaboration between breeding teams to share know-how, exchange germplasm and leverage common support platforms.
- Act as a key interface between R&D, territories and strategic marketing, ensuring alignment between research priorities and market expectations.
- Collaborate with other crops and functions to optimize resource use.
- Represent Limagrain in external collaborations related to cereals and pulses.
Lead and develop people
- Lead and mentor an international network of breeders and scientists, promoting a culture of innovation, excellence, safety, diversity & inclusion, and collaboration.
- Contribute to people reviews, succession planning and development plans, in collaboration with HR and Heads of Program
Own your budget and ensure compliance
- Prepare, manage and optimize operating and capital budgets for cereals and pulses research, in collaboration with the Research Finance team.
- Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, ethical and regulatory standards across all activities and teams under your responsibility.
What you bring
- PhD or equivalent in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agronomy or a related discipline, with at least 10 years of relevant experience in plant breeding or applied crop research.
- Strong expertise in cereals and/or pulses breeding, quantitative genetics and seed industry practices.
- Proven trackrecord in leading breeding programs or complex R&D portfolios, ideally in an international and matrix environment.
- Experience in integrating modern breeding technologies (genomics, molecular markers, digital tools, rapid cycling, datadriven decisionmaking).
- Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders (researchers, business, partners) across regions.
- Strong analytical, organizational and strategic thinking capabilities.
- Fluency in English is required; French is a plus.
Why join Limagrain Field Seeds Research in this role
- A global scope covering key cereal and pulse crops and strategic regions.
- The opportunity to shape longterm research and product strategy and to impact farmers and food systems through innovation in seeds.
- An international, sciencedriven environment, combining advanced technologies and strong field expertise, with a high level of autonomy and responsibility.