Job Description
Posting Start Date:  9/3/26
Offer ID:  2626
Unit:  Limagrain Vegetable Seeds Traits and Technology
Job Title:  Breeding Technology Discovery Global Lead (M/F)
Job Location:  Chappes
Contract type:  Permanent
Job Description: 

Function

At Limagrain Vegetable Seeds, we accelerate varietal innovation through the integration of life sciences, data, and digital technologies.
In this context, we are looking for our future Breeding Technology Discovery Global Lead, a strategic role within the Traits & Technologies Discovery organization.
Beyond scientific leadership, the position acts as a strategic business partner to breeding organizations, and to the Head of data and AI transformation, identifying future technological opportunities, and ensuring that breeding technology discovery activities are aligned with breeding priorities, operational realities, and business value creation. The role is accountable for defining and delivering breeding technology capabilities and scientific requirements that enable breeding performance, while operating within the LVS R&D Data & AI governance, standards, architecture, and portfolio prioritization framework.
Reporting to the Global Head of Traits & Technologies Discovery, you will execute the global vision for breeding technology development at Limagrain Vegetable Seeds.

Your mission will be to leverage scientific advancements, artificial intelligence, data science, and emerging technologies to create value for our breeding programs worldwide.
You will lead a multidisciplinary international organization bringing together expertise in:
•    Biostatistics
•    Digital phenotyping
•    Data analytics
•    Breeding informatics
•    Quantitative genetics

Main Goal

Define the Global Breeding Technologies Strategy, in partnership with Breeding organizations and the Head of data and AI transformation
•    Develop and lead the execution of the medium- and long-term Breeding Technology Discovery roadmap (5 to 10 years),  as a domain technology roadmap aligned with and contributing to the broader LVS R&D Data & AI Transformation roadmap.
•    Identify emerging technologies capable of accelerating genetic gain and enhancing breeding program performance.

Lead an International team
•    Directly manage several Team Leads and Research Managers.
•    Develop talents, capabilities, and organizational effectiveness within your teams.
•    Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence.
•    Indirectly lead an organization of approximately 30 employees located across multiple countries.

Deliver Data & AI-enabled Breeding Technologies
•     Drive the implementation and adoption of LVS R&D data standards, governance principles, and AI capabilities within breeding technology discovery activities
•    Define scientific requirements, use cases, and product ownership for breeding applications and breeding technology solutions in partnership with Data & AI product teams

Act as a Strategic Partner to Breeding
•    Collaborate closely with Breeding Directors and R&D organizations.
•    Translate scientific and operational challenges into technology roadmaps
•    Ensure breeding technology portfolio priorities, investments, and resource allocation are proposed through and aligned with the LVS R&D Data & AI governance framework led by the Head of Data & AI Transformation.

Develop the Innovation Ecosystem
•    Build strategic partnerships with universities, research institutes, startups, and technology providers.
•    Maintain active technology scouting in scientific, digital, and AI innovations.
•    Represent Limagrain within international innovation ecosystems.

What we expect of you

Scientific and Strategic Leadership
•    PhD or Master's degree in Quantitative Genetics, Biometrics, Plant Breeding, Biostatistics, Data Science, or a related field.
•    More than 10 years of experience in applied research environments.
•    Strong understanding of plant breeding challenges and quantitative genetics.

Leadership and People Management
•    Proven experience managing international teams.
•    Experience managing managers is highly desirable.
•    Ability to engage and align expert teams around a shared vision.

Data & AI Vision
•    Strong understanding of AI technologies, data ecosystems, advanced analytics, and digital breeding.
•    Ability to translate emerging technologies into value-creating solutions.
•    Experience working in data-driven environments and transformation-focused organizations.

Influence and Collaboration
•    Excellent communication and influencing skills.
•    Ability to operate effectively in multicultural and matrix organizations.
•    Proven ability to engage and align both internal and external stakeholders

Your benefits and working environment

What You Will Find at Limagrain

•    A strategic role with global scope.
•    Strong visibility and exposure to the R&D leadership team.
•    The opportunity to define and shape the breeding technology roadmap.
•    Direct interaction with leading scientific and technological players in the industry.
•    An international, innovative, and high-impact working environment.

The position may be located in Chappes (France) or at any other LVS site.

 

Information at a Glance

Limagrain is the global leader in vegetable seeds and operates in the market with three Business Units: HM.CLAUSE, Vilmorin-Mikado, and Hazera. Limagrain Vegetable Seeds has developed a product portfolio comprising more than 40 species and operates on all continents. The significant investment in technologies and development, coupled with close customer relationships and a culture of partnerships, enables Limagrain Vegetable Seeds to provide vegetable growers worldwide with efficient seeds adapted to the needs of each region.

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.