Manager Molecular Breeding Cucurbit Crops and Leafies

Taken en verantwoordelijkheden

Are you ready for a strategic role at the heart of modern plant breeding? Do you enjoy translating science into impact, developing people, and driving innovation across crops and technologies? Join Enza Zaden as Manager Molecular Breeding and help accelerate the genetics of tomorrow.

At our headquarters in Enkhuizen (or our breeding hub in Spain), you will lead an international team, strengthen our molecular breeding capabilities, and contribute directly to the development of world-class vegetable varieties.

This is why you want to join us as Manager Molecular Breeding at Enza Zaden

Lead and grow a talented team

• You will manage and develop a dedicated crop-group team of genomic breeders and pre-breeders, located across the Netherlands, Spain, and France. You’ll guide them in applying cutting-edge molecular breeding approaches to deliver traits that matter.

Drive innovation in breeding

• You will play a central role in implementing new breeding technologies, improving processes, and ensuring that modern molecular and data-driven approaches are effectively used across programs.

Influence strategy and make real impact

• You will be part of both the Crop Management Team and the Molecular Breeding Management Team—giving you direct influence on how we innovate and how future genetics are developed.

Work in an ambitious, international environment

• You’ll collaborate closely with breeders, data scientists, molecular biologists, and external research partners, contributing to strategic projects with global relevance.

Make a difference as Manager Molecular Breeding

• Lead, develop, motivate, and coach genomic breeders and pre-breeders in your crop group.

• Define and optimize processes to introduce new genetics and traits, ensuring smooth handover from research to breeding.

• Translate long-term crop strategies into actionable research initiatives in collaboration with the Research Portfolio Manager and Crop Management Teams.

• Implement new molecular and data-driven breeding techniques and promote their effective use across breeding programs.

• Ensure compliance with Quality, HSE, and regulatory standards.

• Analyze and manage complex trait data: genealogy, phenotypes, genotypes, and trait architecture.

• Analyze and manage crop data related to genealogy, phenotype, and genotype of complex traits.

• Act as Key User for new software or digital tools, including training colleagues.

• Potentially act as Crop IP Specialist to manage crop-related intellectual property.

You will report to the Global Manager Molecular Breeding and guide an international team of 10 molecular breeding professionals.

?What you bring as a future colleague

• Demonstrated experience in both functional and people management, with a strong ability to lead, develop, and inspire teams effectively.

• A Master’s degree in a relevant scientific field is required; a PhD is considered an asset.

• 6 to 8 years of relevant work experience in molecular breeding or related fields.

• Knowledge of plant breeding, modern breeding methods, biotechnology, and data analysis.    

• Strong analytical and  communication skills.    

• Proficient in English, both written and verbal.

You are a motivated and strategic thinker who thrives in a collaborative environment. Your leadership skills, combined with your ability to manage projects and communicate effectively, make you a highly valuable asset to our breeding team.

Enza Zaden as your employer

With more than 3,000 passionate team members across the world, we're on a daily mission to develop the finest vegetable varieties. Our goal? To deliver seeds with that special something: better taste, better yields, and better resistance. On our mission to feed the world, we challenge ourselves to gain deeper insights and find the next breakthrough. We grow and innovate together, and everyone’s contribution are valued. Throughout our 85 years, our family values, passion, independence and or focus on innovation have truly set us apart. Over 480 million people are eating our vegetables every day something we are very proud of! Our passion isn't just a trademark; it's our driving force, propelling our rapid growth. If you're ready to explore your potential and thrive in a supportive environment, we welcome you to develop your talents with us. The combination of entrepreneurship, initiative and a healthy dose of determination has made Enza Zaden great and brought us where we are today. Enza Zaden is and always will be in motion: in the past, present and future.

What can you expect from us?

As a family-owned company, we support you to thrive in all areas of life, so that you can be successful inside and outside of work. We offer:

• Flexible work arrangements;

• Access to a variety of wellbeing programs and healthy food options;

• 25 paid vacation days (employees have the option to buy extra vacation days equivalent to two times their weekly working hours);

• 1 paid vitality day for all, plus extra days as your age increases.

We aspire to be a good employer that cares for our employees, both during and after their careers at Enza Zaden. Our most important benefits include:

• Active partnership in your professional development (personal growth);

• Tailor made leadership development programs and global e-learning platform;

• Employer sponsored retirement benefits.

Join us for a career that grows with you! Are you curious to know more about Enza Zaden click on this link to our website.

Get in touch

Apply now using the application button.

Do you have any questions about our application process? Please feel free to reach out to:

Annemarie Weening, Senior Corporate Recruiter (a.weening@enzazaden.nl).

Good to know

• An assessment is part of the application process;

• This position cannot be filled on an interim basis;

• Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and don’t discriminate based on background, identity or personal characteristics.