Reference: 2023-8159

Limagrain is a farmer-owned and farmer-run international agricultural cooperative. Growers sowing our seeds and cultivating our varieties around the world contribute to the innovations and developments that put the future of agriculture right back where it belongs – in the hands of the farmers. Limagrain Cereal Seeds is headquartered in Colorado – centrally positioned to our research stations in North Dakota, Washington, Indiana and Kansas, as well as more than 25 participating land grant universities across the United States. We are dedicated to developing new, improved grain varieties bred expressly for our growers' climates, soils and growing conditions. Wheat is the world's largest crop, with over 705 tons (640 million metric tonnes) produced annually. The United Nations estimates that 20 percent of all the calories consumed by the human race come from wheat. As the world population increases, mankind needs increasingly more food. At LCS, we understand that we have an important role in making this possible. Since 2010, Limagrain Cereal Seeds has transitioned from a new player in the U.S. wheat market to the company U.S. farmers rely on for improved wheat and barley genetics. We have more than 75 distinct varieties in the marketplace – offered in 36 states and representing all major market classes of wheat and barley – and we are constantly researching, breeding, testing and releasing new varieties to meet the needs of our growers.  

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Main Goal

The Head of Cereals and Pulses Research in North America plays a pivotal role in aligning local and global research, working closely with regionally positioned breeders and research teams to define, develop, direct, implement and control the short, mid and long-term research strategy and activity for cereals and pulses of Limagrain in North America.

Your key accountabilities will include building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners to develop, identify and prioritize emerging industry research issues and assuring a targeted research and development program is established and executed.  

Job description

As a member of Limagrain's global cereals and pulses management team, your main domains and missions will be:

• Research and Development Strategy:
  • Animate the North American research management team to facilitate development of innovative breeding strategies by utilizing company technology and germplasm;
  • Define the short, medium and long-term breeding and portfolio objectives with commercial managers;
  • Develop an understanding of the business, interacting with relevant internal stakeholders;
  • Propose collaborations and exchanges with third parties in compliance with company policy
  • Ensure compliance with Limagrain germplasm FTO requirements in conjunction with global germplasm management systems.
• Operations:
  • Evolve, develop and implement breeding strategy through the different breeding programs in North America
  • Drive the optimal use of efficient breeding innovations (statistical designs, molecular technology etc)
  • Ensure variety maintenance and breeder’s seed production of cereal and pulse varieties
  • Coordinate the registration of cereal and pulse varieties in the Business Area
  • Ensure the protection of cereal and pulse varieties in the Business Area, in close collaboration with the global Germplasm Officer,
  • Propose and manage North America cereals and pulses budget, resources of the research team and (MTP) mid-term plan, ensuring budget compliance and efficient resource allocation for projects and programs.
  • Complete Research Portfolio KPIs
  • Track and review the financial performance and expenses of the research team and recommend adjustments as necessary.
• People Management and Leadership:
  • Shape and promote a positive work culture and actively develop the research team in collaboration with the BU and global research human resources teams
  • Provide leadership to the breeding teams
  • Develop and implement communications plans for Research that inspires employees and connects them to the values and ambition of the organization
  • Develop close relationships with breeders, platform managers and research managers in other territories in the cereals and pulses community
  • Set annual research and business goals, conduct annual performance appraisals and individual development plan
• Management:
  • Act and advocate as a member of LCS and LCRC Management committees, representing LFS Research in the Business Areas
  • Ensure research team compliance to company and local government safety regulations.

Profile

• Experience & Educational Requirements:
  • A Doctorate’s degree in Crop Science, Plant Genetics or Agronomy is required;
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience within plant breeding, field trials, or related field is desired.
  • Significant previous experience in a multinational and/or private and matrixed organization with significant leadership and executive management experience is preferred
  • A deep knowledge of how agriculture-for-development proceeds and the requirements of stakeholders
  • A valid driver’s licence
  • An ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
• The successful candidate will demonstrate or possess:
  • Innovative and analytical thinking
  • A track record delivering superior results via a collaborative working style;
  • Previous success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities in a fast-paced organization
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and of many disciplines
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
  • A passion for driving organizational mission and impact
  • Ability to exercise diplomacy in the setting of an international organization
  • Transparent communication style, direct, with substance
  • A self-starter, self-disciplined with spark, imagination and creativity
  • Ability to remain focused and can deliver against timelines
  • Patience and resilience
  • Must be proactive as well as solve problems and make decisions in time sensitive conditions
  • High degree of adaptability
  • Must be able to develop and maintain positive, professional relationships at all levels of the organization

To apply

Please click HERE to learn more and to apply online.