Rijk Zwaan is an independent, international organisation in vegetable breeding. This expanding organisation, with 25 subsidiaries abroad, focuses on product development and product innovation. We are specialists in breeding, producing and selling vegetable seeds. Our company has a place in the top 10 of breeding companies worldwide. Our 1,500 employees work in many different locations all over the world, with enormous commitment, loyalty and dedication. The company culture is characterised by a motivational policy and a good working atmosphere. Turnover of personnel is, therefore, extremely low. Most vacancies are created due to our constant and strong growth.

Rijk Zwaan Afrisem

RZ Afrisem was founded in 2008 in Arusha in Tanzania. The Afrisem breeding program is a co-operation between Rijk Zwaan and East West Seed of Thailand. The aim of Afrisem is to provide local African vegetable growers with dedicated hybrid varieties and top quality seeds for an affordable price. At this moment there is no other hybrid breeding program in vegetable crops dedicated to the tropical African market and in most local African crops there is no breeding at all. Experience in Europe and Asia has shown that variety improvement in combination with education of growers (“Seeds and Service”) is essential for the development of a competitive vegetable industry. Vegetable production, with its high value products, can provide small growers with a good income and boost the economy of a region. At the moment the Afrisem breeding program covers African tomato, peppers and eggplants. The total Afrisem team consists of 30 persons. The breeding manager works with a team of three assistant-breeders and works in close relationship with the station manager. More info on: www.rijkzwaan.com and www.afrisem.com.

Tasks:

• Daily leadership of the Afrisem breeding group. Takes care of a good work atmosphere in the selection team. Stimulate and support the selection team to think out new ideas and methods.
• Responsible for the progress of the selection programs.
• Prepares breeding plans, taking into account the commercial needs for the relevant areas for which the breeding programs are meant to develop products.
• Evaluates the selection work and methods of the Afrisem selection team.
• Contact research groups to get information about their research and possible projects for cooperation.
• Keeps up-to-date with the latest research and practical developments that are relevant for the Afrisem crops.
• Stimulates good relationships between the Afrisem-team, other groups in Rijk Zwaan and with persons from East West.
• Prepares quarterly progress reports and the report for the yearly project meeting.
• Support the management with ideas for a further development of the breeding activities for the Afrisem crops.

Qualifications and competences:

• University education with specialization in plant genetics and breeding. Must have a sound, scientific and knowledge of breeding, genetics, plant physiology and plant pathology
• Practical experiences in plant breeding
• Pioneering, resilient and flexible attitude, able to work and live in a tropical country for a long period
• Have a good eye for the commercial aspects of working in a seed company
• International orientation and good communication skills
• Creative breeder with a practical attitude, innovative
• Motivating coach and teamplayer
• Good organizer and independent thinker
• Fluent in English (Dutch has the preference)
• Multi-langual, willing to learn Kiswahili

Information and applications

For more information about these vacancies and our company please contact:
Mrs. Bianca van Haperen, telephone number +255 (0) 27 255 3444.

You may send your CV and covering letter to:

Rijk Zwaan
f.a.o. Madelon Vos

preferably by e-mail via work@rijkzwaan.com  

or to

P.O. Box 40
2678 ZG De Lier
The Netherlands

For other vacancies please visit our website www.rijkzwaan.com  

Any commercial activities concerning this advertisement will not be appreciated.
No serach firm.