A successful new R&D location starts with strong leadership. As Location Manager, South-East Netherlands Breeding Station, you will have the unique opportunity to help build a new Enza Zaden site from the ground up, develop a team, and shape the daily operation. Through your combination of entrepreneurship, people leadership, and hands-on involvement, you will directly contribute to the production of high-quality vegetable seeds for our global breeding programmes.

Make a difference as Location Manager, South-East Netherlands Breeding Station

As Location Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of our new site in South-East Limburg, where greenhouse and open field activities come together. You will continue to build a team of permanent and seasonal employees and ensure that all operational processes related to sowing, plant propagation, crop care, and harvesting run smoothly. Currently, the permanent team consists of three colleagues. As the location continues to develop, the team will gradually expand to support future activities.

In this role, you combine operational leadership with an active presence on the work floor. Approximately half of your time will be dedicated to planning, coordination, and alignment, while the other half will be spent working alongside your team in the greenhouse or in the field. You will report to the Station Manager in Enkhuizen and work closely with breeders, R&D Operations colleagues, and various internal stakeholders.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Leading, coaching, and further developing a team of permanent and seasonal employees;

• Managing crop production and workforce activities at the site;

• Ensuring quality, safety, and operational efficiency within the daily operation;

• Maintaining close collaboration with breeders, commercial teams, and colleagues across R&D Operations;

• Actively contributing to greenhouse and field activities as a working supervisor;

• Identifying and implementing improvements in processes, facilities, and ways of working.

What you bring as our future colleague

As Location Manager, you are an entrepreneurial and decisive leader who knows how to engage and inspire people around a shared ambition. You are comfortable switching between strategic planning and operational execution and feel just as much at home reviewing schedules and budgets as you do among the crops in the greenhouse or field. With your practical mindset, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication abilities, you know how to successfully develop and grow a new location.

In addition, you bring:

• Bachelor's level working and thinking ability, preferably in Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related field;

• At least 5 years of leadership experience within an operational or agricultural environment;

• Experience with cultivation processes in greenhouse and/or open field environments;

• Proven experience in building, developing, and leading teams;

• Affinity with planning, budget management, and operational coordination;

• A hands-on mentality and willingness to regularly support operational activities on-site;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English;

• A valid driver's licence.

Enza Zaden as your employer
Enza Zaden is an international family-owned company that has been developing innovative vegetable varieties since 1938. Together with more than 3,300 colleagues worldwide, we work on vegetable seeds with better flavor, higher yields and strong resistances. We do this from our mission: “Breeding to feed the world.” Every day, more than 480 million people eat vegetables grown from our seeds, and that is something we are very proud of.

We are passionate about our work and care about one another. Good ideas are given room to grow and together we keep moving forward. This is how we continue to grow and innovate, both as a company and as colleagues.

What you can expect from us

We believe it is important that you can grow in your work and feel good about what you do. That is why we invest in your development, well-being, and job satisfaction. Through our Great to Grow development program, our focus on vitality, and activities that bring colleagues together, we create a work environment where you can keep learning and contribute with energy and enjoyment.

You can also count on:

• A position for 38 hours per week;

• A gross monthly salary between €4,356.06 and €6,222.94, based on a full-time workweek of 38 hours and aligned with your knowledge and experience;

• 8.33% vacation allowance and an attractive annual bonus program of 10% of your annual salary, depending on your job level and company performance;

• 25 vacation days, the option to purchase additional vacation days, and one paid vitality day per year, with extra vacation days granted as you get older;

• A laptop and mobile phone provided by Enza Zaden;

• A contribution toward overnight accommodation costs if you live farther away from Enza Zaden. This program applies to employees working for Enza Zaden in the Netherlands whose one-way commute exceeds 100 kilometers and 75 minutes;

• An attractive retirement plan, commuting reimbursement if you live more than 10 kilometers from your workplace and a remote work allowance when working partly from home in consultation with your manager;

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth through our Great to Grow development program, training courses, workshops, and e-learning platform;

• Plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of your daily work through social events organized by the Staff Association, as well as Young Enza networking events, inspiration sessions, and social gatherings. We also host an annual summer barbecue, Christmas market and New Year’s reception;

• A strong focus on your health and well-being, including free fresh fruit, healthy lunch options at the office, a bike-to-work program, sports activities through enzActive, and mental well-being support through OpenUp.

Let’s connect
Looking for a career that grows with you? Apply using the application button. You will receive an automatic confirmation within a few minutes. We will let you know the next step within 10 business days.

Do you have questions about the role or the application process? Please feel free to contact Annemarie Weening, Senior Corporate Recruiter, at [email protected].

Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity, or personal characteristics.

Want to learn more about Enza Zaden? Visit our website.