As part of the KWS Product Development Cluster for sugarbeet, cereals, special crops and organics, the Head (all gender) of Breeding Technologies Application (BTA) is responsible to lead and continuously develop a highly performant, competent, competitive, and diverse & inclusive breeding technology application organization. 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:

• Lead a high performing organization, with focus on delivery, budget, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement mindset, and manage the teams it in line with the core KWS values.
• Further develop, together with the breeding groups, breeding services stations and the research projects, the next generation application landscape to increase genetic gain and efficiency of germplasm and traits development. BTA includes, 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, digital phenotyping and environmental analysis.
• Strategic contribution to the R&D program and project portfolio, that bring forward the KWS strategy.
• Drive implementation of new 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 application.
• Attract and develop highly scientific and technical people in line with the KWS R&D strategy.
• Secure appropriate protection of KWS inventions and IP in collaboration with Legal & IP departments.

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 driving, developing, and implementing with two or more of our breeding technologies application areas.
• 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.
• A strategic thinker with both technology and product interest Strong self-motivating drive to seek continuous improvement and supports decision making at various levels of the organization.
• 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 in English 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.

What we offer to you:

• 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, air conditioning, high-end technical 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. ​

We look forward to receiving your application online.

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