Breeding Group Leader - Cool Crops

Permanent – Full time

Have you successfully driven breeding programs? Are you knowledgeable about cool season crops such as brassicas and alliums? Do you enjoy managing and developing breeding teams?

Keen to learn more about the Breeding Group Leader for Cool Crops position?

As a member of the EMEA Research Management team, you will be responsible for managing a group of cool crop Breeders and their Breeding teams across our EMEA territory and working with them to develop breeding strategies.

What will you do?

Breeding Strategy & Program Management

• Define and implement short- and long-term breeding goals within the framework of the project plan, budget, and timeframe
• Ensure availability of state-of-the-art technologies and breeding methods in the breeding area
• Supervise the preparation and management of Opex and Capex budgets per SAKATA guidelines

Leadership + Team Development

• Manage and coach Breeders and Breeding teams across EMEA
• Lead team performance and drive team development by overseeing HR processes and optimizing use of resources (people, budget, tools)
• Motivate and foster teamwork, while challenging and strengthening the technical and genetic quality of breeding programs

Intellectual Property, Compliance & Reporting

• Promote and strengthen intellectual property development (PVP, trade secrets, patents) and oversee FTO (Freedom to Operate) assessment
• Empower breeding groups to work in a complementary way
• Lead internal meetings and participate in key internal platforms
• Provide reports and relevant data to stakeholders

Where will you work ?

Ideally, you are based at our UK station. However, opportunities may also be considered for candidates based in other locations, such as the Netherlands or Spain. You will manage a breeding team of 8 people a report to European and Japanese management structure.

You will work in an international and multi-cultural environment, collaborating with our people in Product Management, Laboratories, Farm, Production, Sales, Supply Chain and other administrative teams. The position requires frequent international travel (>6 times per year).

Do you fit this profile?

• You have a PhD and/or Masters degree, with specialization in Plant Sciences and/or Breeding
• You have at least 10 years of proven experience in leading a breeding program in the seed industry
• You have strong technical knowledge of cool season crops (onion, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.)
• You have proven people management and leadership skills, with a hands-on approach to motivate and develop teams.
• You have experience in managing breeding teams and scientific teams
• You can simultaneously manage multiple projects and respect allocated budgets, timelines, and resources
• You are keen to stay up to date with scientific and technological developments in your field of expertise
• You have excellent organisational, planning, and prioritisation skills
• You are flexible and can deal with changing environments
• You are motivated, reliable, and have a disciplined mindset
• You have strong communication skills and can bring easily people together to collaborate
• You are fluent in English; other languages are an advantage
• You have proficiency in MS Office

What are the next steps?

• Apply via our website and send us your application in English (Resume and Cover letter) until 17/08/2026
• First contact with Mélanie (HR Business Partner)
• First Interview with Laura Ann (Deputy Research Director EMEA) + Stuart (Managing Director) + Mélanie (HR Business Partner)
• Final interview with Basile (President & CEO) + Lorraine (EMEA HR Director)

The position is available as soon as possible.