In order to expand the tomato breeding program and to strengthen our tomato breeding team in Noceto (Parma Province, Italy), KWS Vegetables is looking for an Assistant Breeder - Tomato (m/f/d). The position will be unlimited and full-time.

Job purpose 

Together with the tomato Breeder, the Assistant Breeder will give direction to the tomato breeding program in designing and executing the process of continuous variety creation and development for a range of specific tomato types and market segments. The Assistant Breeder will assist the Breeder in various capacities, takes care of the production of sufficient, high quality foundation seeds, and is able to replace the Breeder for a short to mid term period if needed.

Are you enthusiastic about building a professional breeding team and about being part of the further expansion and growth of our breeding department in general and our tomato breeding program in Italy in specific, and are you a real team worker that likes to be outside between the plants in the field or in the greenhouses as well as sometimes spending a couple of days at the office taking care of an adequate breeding administration? Than do not hesitate and write us!

What you can expect in this role:

• Assist and support the Breeder in optimizing the efficiency and output of the breeding program by designing and implementing new technologies and breeding methods in order to ensure a constant flow of commercially successful varieties.
• Design and plan and - after approval of the Breeder - implement, execute, evaluate, analyze, interpret and document autonomously breeding trials and their results at various locations in Italy and in Spain, in line with the breeding plan, guidelines and procedures, in order to optimize the efficiency and output of the breeding program.
• Manage and execute the increase and maintenance of foundation/basic seeds in coordination with the Breeder, Stock Seed and/or Production departments in order to ensure enough availability of high quality foundation/basic seeds.
• Manage an accurate and detailed breeding administration and implement new ICT- systems within the breeding team conform the procedures and guidelines in the breeding department, in order to enable the running of an efficient and effective breeding program.
• Coordinate and communicate the breeding program activities to the technical assistant(s) and the crop technicians within the breeding team and provide them with technical advice in order to meet agreed standards, time planning and budgets.
• Develop and maintain updated and broad vision on the market demands and translate market demands into breeding goals in order to be able to act for the breeder as an equal discussion partner on all breeding issues and to replace the breeder for short to medium term periods if needed or relevant.

What you bring in: 

• BSc in Horticulture, preferably Plant Breeding, Genetics or closely related field.
• Working knowledge of horticultural practices and procedures, Genetics and Plant Breeding.
• Preferrably some years of experience in Plant Breeding.
• Available for short trips of a few days within Italy and Spain.
• Languages: Italian and English, good to fluently.
• Good communicator.
• Good analytical qualities.
• Team player.
• Open and flexible working attitude.
• Computer skills: able to work with management information systems, databases and spread sheets.

Did we spark your interest? 
Then apply now via our online portal and send us your documents (cover letter, resume, certificates). We look forward to getting to know you!