Head of Breeding
Head of Breeding
We are on the lookout for a passionate and innovative Head of Breeding based in Andijk, the Netherlands. If you thrive on leadership, love to innovate, and have a collaborative spirit, this is the perfect opportunity for you to shine.
As our new Head of Breeding, you’ll be right where the magic happens—leading the way in developing strong, sustainable varieties that help shape the future of vegetables. Based in Andijk, you’ll work with a dedicated team of breeders, stock seed managers, and farm experts to bring big ideas to life and make sure our breeding programs run smoothly and smartly.
You won’t be doing it alone. You’ll collaborate closely with our Strategic Crop Teams and take the lead on crop strategies that go beyond borders. And because you bring both scientific know-how and leadership experience to the table, you’ll play a key role in guiding international Breeding and Research teams forward.
Join us and be part of a team that values creativity, teamwork, and a proactive approach. Together, we'll explore the boundaries of what's possible in seed breeding and lead the way in sustainable practices. At KWS Vegetables, we are not here to follow, but to pioneer
Your responsibilities:
Develop and lead the long- and short-term breeding strategy in line with R&D and KWS Vegetables goals
Guide and inspire breeding, seed, and farm teams in Andijk to deliver future-proof varieties
Continuously improve breeding tools, protocols, and processes for efficiency and impact
Co-lead the Long-Term Crop Design (LCD) process to support strategic decision-making
Spot and integrate innovative breeding technologies and scientific developments
Advise leadership through reports, proposals, and technical insights
Manage the breeding budget effectively, ensuring optimal use of resources
Foster collaboration across teams, countries, and departments
Build partnerships with internal teams, universities, and external innovation partners
Lead, coach, and grow a high-performing and passionate breeding team
To seed your future, you've got the following skills:
Pioneering mindset with a strategic, hands-on leadership style.
Deep knowledge of plant breeding, both practical and theoretical.
Experience in managing breeding or research teams, ideally within the vegetable seed industry.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into decisions.
Familiarity with advanced breeding technologies and innovation trends.
A collaborative spirit with a people-first, human leadership approach.
Proven ability to build and guide effective, multicultural teams.
Excellent communication skills - clear, persuasive, and inspiring.
Internationally oriented and open to travel when needed.
You are fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.
Internationally oriented and open to travel when needed.
MSc or PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics or a related field.
Reasons to develop your talents within KWS Vegetables:
You will be part of a fast-evolving, international company striving to become a leader in the vegetable seed industry.
Your working environment is very diverse and you will collaborate with a team of experienced gurus and fresh talents.
You’ll receive a competitive salary and attractive benefits package.
You get to work with fantastic colleagues and will be part of our Vegetable Squad.
Ready to shape the future of breeding at KWS Vegetables?
Apply now and join a global team dedicated to making a significant impact in the vegetable seed industry! For further details, please contact Coert Engels, Head of Global Breeding Vegetables, at +31 (0) 6 13 38 59 68 or via coert.engels@kws.com.
If you’re excited to seize this opportunity, click the button below to apply immediately.
