Breeding Director Allium and Crucifers

Job Description

Posting Start Date: 7/22/26

Offer ID: 2461

Unit: Hazera

Job Title: Breeding Director Allium and Crucifers

Job Location: Made

Contract type: N/A

Job Description:

Main Goal

The Breeding Director – Allium and Crucifers is accountable for defining and leading Hazera’s global onion & Crucifer’s breeding strategy to deliver innovative, sustainable, and differentiated varieties that deliver value and meet the evolving needs of growers, supply chain partners, retailers, processors, and consumers worldwide.

Reporting to the Global Head of R&D , this role provides scientific, strategic, and organizational leadership for the global onion and crucifer breeding programs. The Director leads international multidisciplinary breeding teams across multiple regions while fostering collaboration with Product Management, Crop Research, Breeding Technologies , Data Science, R&D Operations, Seed Production, and Commercial teams.

The successful candidate champions innovation, accelerate genetic gain, strengthens global collaboration, and builds a high-performing breeding organization supporting the company's long-term strategic objectives . The Allium & Crucifer’s breeding Director is also part of the R&D management team and a key contributor in the Limagrain Vegetable Seeds Strategic Crop reviews.

Job description

Develop and execute the global onion and crucifer breeding strategy aligned with business objectives.

Lead the global breeding pipeline from germplasm development through commercial product launch.

Ensure effective integration of contemporary breeding technologies, including genomics, phenomics, AI, predictive breeding, and data analytics into breeding decisions.

Collaborate closely with Product Management, Applied Genetics , Crop Research, Seed Production, Commercial, and R&D Operations.

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing international breeding team.

Manage breeding portfolio investments, budgets, KPIs, and resource allocation.

Represent the breeding program with external partners and scientific organizations.

Candidate profile

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Science, Horticulture, or related discipline preferred or MS with at least 5 years of breeding experience and breeding team management.

Several years of progressive experience in commercial vegetable breeding.

Demonstrated success leading onion/ Crucifers or comparable vegetable breeding programs.

Experience managing international, multidisciplinary teams.

Technical Expertise

Allium & Crucifers breeding experience a plus

Quantitative genetics

Hybrid breeding

Genomic selection

Marker-assisted breeding

Digital phenotyping

Experimental design

Statistical genetics

Product advancement

Breeding informatics and data-driven decision making

Leadership Competencies

Strategic vision

Customer focus

Innovation leadership

People development

Business acumen

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Results orientation

Change management

Success Measures

Commercially successful allium & Crucifer’s varieties

Increased genetic gain

Efficient breeding pipeline

Adoption of modern breeding technologies

High-performing teams

Strong collaboration across R&D and Commercial

Operational excellence

Your benefits and working environment

25 days paid holidays (by full time employment)

13 days paid ATV (by full time employment)

Vitality leave to facilitate sustainable employability (number of days depending on age)

Holiday allowance of 8,33%

Flexible working hours (depending on the job)

Lease-a-bike to promote sustainable employability

Discount on collective health insurances with CZ and Nationale Nederlanden

Commuting allowance according to the CLA for Horticultural Seed Companies

Free fresh fruits

Free fresh vegetables to take home in the growing season

CLA for Horticultural Seed Companies

Career opportunities within Limagrain Group (access to all vacancies, locally & abroad)

Leaning & Development opportunities (Limagrain Group)

Working with passionate colleagues

Active Employee Association (regular events, e.g BBQ & Padel)

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process consists of two interviews (we may deviate from this process in particular cases, in which you will be informed in advance.)

The first interview focuses on understanding the candidate’s background, experience, and motivation for the role, as well as assessing overall fit.

The second interview is more in-depth and explores role-specific skills, competencies, and alignment with the team and company culture. A final decision is made following this stage.

Candidates may be asked to complete an assessment designed to evaluate role-specific skills.