Manager R&D Operations

South Africa Expert in vegetable crop cultivation

Company information

Enza Zaden is a vegetable breeding company that develops vegetable varieties. And produces and sells its seeds all over the world. We have made
to explain to you properly (and as briefly as possible) what we do.
The purpose of our work? To offer everyone worldwide access to healthy and varied vegetables. With more than 2000 passionate colleagues all over the world, we work together every day on the vegetables of tomorrow.

Would you like to know more about Enza Zaden as an employer? Then take a look at the
page or view our page on
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Function description

As an expert in vegetable crop cultivation you are responsible for the crop management of the biotech breeding activities at our R&D station in Stellenbosch. You will be leading the greenhouse growing of doubled haploid donor plants, seed production, and speed breeding trials for various crops. You will oversee the cultivation of the crops on the site to each crop and trial’s specific requirements (including climate control, fertigation pest control etc.). You will ensure all activities within the crop trials are executed in such a way that it's aligned with the crop and budget objectives. You are also responsible for a healthy and safe working environment in compliance with Enza Zaden as well as local regulations.

Furthermore, you are responsible for the management and optimal use of the greenhouse section’s facilities, space, crop labour, and ensuring optimal service and maintenance of facilities and give input for new investments. You contribute to the multi-year plan and annual budgeting of the section.

As a strong leader, you motivate and coach the assigned team members, and develop them to reach a higher level of crop growing and crop management. You know what you want to achieve and get things done with the support of your team. As Manager R&D Operations, you get excited by leading the operational side (planning, execution and coordination of crop cultivation activities) and you monitor performances closely to reach objectives. You focus on the optimisation of operational processes to increases output and efficiency while reducing costs. You will work in cross-functional teams and be part of the international crop teams, supporting the team dynamics at the station. You will align with the culture of the local station and Enza Zaden's values and principles. You report to the Station Manager in Stellenbosch.

Function Requirements

As an agronomy expert in greenhouse vegetable crop cultivation and hydroponics, you bring our crops and trials to a higher quality level for your internal customers. Our focus in this region is on the development of new pepper and cucumber varieties but also have trials in other crops like lettuce and tomato. In this role, you have a significant influence on the outcome of these processes.

The strong communications and people management skills you bring help you to build solid relations between all colleagues. You are a natural communicator and connector who can work independently, but you are also able to work in cross-functional teams.

You are a hands-on manager and know how to guide the implementation of innovations . Thanks to your experience and analytical skills you recognize opportunities, make an impact and can work independently. You are a dynamic person who takes initiative, recognizes opportunities, and has a creative, analytical, and systematic method of working. You are research-minded and interested in working in a precision environment within the seed sector. You are organized and follow safety procedures. You have a strong agriculture background, and have developed skills in planning, organization, and management.

In short, you:

• have 6 to 8 years of experience in greenhouse vegetable crop production, preferably in hydroponics;
• have excellent communication skills and are a real team player;
• are innovative and look for optimising processes;
• have an educational background in horticulture or agronomics;
• have experience in facility management, budget management, and safety and phytosanitary regulations;
• have a valid driver’s license and own transport.

Contact information

Please, send your application to our Recruitment department, via the Apply now! buttons.

More information:
Annemarie Weening, Corporate Recruiter, +31 629706834
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