As part of the KWS Product Development Cluster for maize, oilseed rape, sunflower and sorghum the Head (all gender) of Breeding Technologies Application (BTA) is responsible to lead and continuously develop a highly performant, competent, international, motivated, and competitive breeding technologies team. This role is based in our headquarter in Einbeck, Germany and on a permanent contract with KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA. 

Key responsibilities for the dedicated role:

• Identify, evaluate, develop, apply, and implement in collaboration with Breeding and Breeding Services up-to-date breeding technologies which increase the genetic gain and the efficiency of germplasm and traits development. Breeding technologies include but are not limited to quantitative genetics and data analytics, predictive breeding, breeding information management, molecular marker application, genomics and molecular trait genetics, native traits research, trait integration, in vivo haploid induction, and digital phenotyping.
• Act as a direct and tailored interface to breeding programs offering fast, efficient, and effective implementation of relevant breeding technologies.
• Collaborate closely with others R&D functions: Research, Breeding, Breeding Stations
• Contribute to centralized R&D development of necessary breeding technologies and tools triggering standardization and automation of key breeding technologies processes.
• Establish and maintain an excellent international research collaboration network in the scope of breeding technologies. 
• Lead a high performing team in an innovative, collaborative, and continuous improvement mindset and manage it in line with the core KWS values.
• Attract and develop highly scientific and technical people in line with the KWS R&D strategy.
• Define and manage the agreed budget inside the Product Development Cluster.
• Secure appropriate protection of KWS inventions and IP in collaboration with Legal & IP departments.

In this role you will be a permanent member of the Mais & Oil Crops Product Development Leadership Team and the Extended KWS R&D Leadership Team.
You are a key contributor to define and develop the RD Strategy and Innovation plan for KWS.

What you bring into the role:

• Ph.D. or equivalent certification in plant breeding, plant genetics or a closely related field.
• A high degree of leadership skills in an international setting and diverse cultures - with direct as well as “dotted line” relationships, able to integrate and steer highly diverse teams.
• Broad and excellent experience in developing and implementing of several (at least two) out of following applied breeding technologies - genomics, genotyping and marker application, quantitative genetics and data analytics, predictive breeding, trait genetics, in vivo haploid induction. 
• Good analytical skills and ability to challenge diverse scientific concepts based on broad knowledge of plant breeding and plant genetics.
• Strong entrepreneurial, strategic, and managerial skills, balancing opportunities and risks for the benefit of KWS.
• Strong self-motivating drive to seek continuous improvement and supports decision making at various levels of the organization.
• Honest, trusted, reliable and approachable as peer as well as supervisor.
• Ability to understand diverse content areas in a fast-moving environment, identify areas of strategic relevance and synthesize into valuable concepts for KWS.
• Excellent collaborative and communication skills and ability to adjust communication style to highly different audiences.
• Open minded and capable of integrating R&D related legal aspects, FTO, IP, regulatory aspects, project-and quality management into decision processes.

This is what you can look forward to​

• As a family-run company we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, foresight and independence - this culture is lived in practice creating thus an open and friendly working atmosphere.​
• True to our motto Make yourself grow, we support employees’ professional and personal development.​
• We offer excellent work equipment (e.g. ergonomic workstations, several monitors, air conditioning, high-end technical equipment, the newest laboratory equipment), a fully-fledged, subsidized canteen and sufficient free parking spaces at the KWS location. ​
• We offer a company pension scheme, capital formation benefits, Christmas and holiday bonuses, special prices for company shares, childcare allowance and a job bike. ​

Step up and push your career with this important role in our organization! 
We welcome all applications (in English) online and look forward to getting to know you better.