KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants' resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.
We're looking for a Crop Lead Corn (m/f/d) at KWS SAAT SE & CO. KGaA, to manage the global crop product strategy and drive our growth ambition. In this exciting role, you will prioritize product development based on market needs to maximize the corn portfolio's value, using our breeding pipeline to enhance sales channels, profitability, and operational efficiency. Your place of work will be in Einbeck, Lower Saxony.
Join us and make an impact in shaping the future of corn!
Your Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement a long-term product strategy, aligned with market trends and customer needs
* Translate market needs into R&D priorities
* Lead portfolio lifecycle management: positioning, launches, phase-outs, and regional harmonization across sales channels to maximize breeding pipeline potential
* Extent licensing business to leverage breeding pipelines
* Collaborate with Sales & Marketing to create strong product concepts and value capture strategies
* Develop and lead the Corn Academy training platform to build sales team expertise
* Drive digitalization and develop data-driven tools for product assessment and decision-making
* Partner with Heads of Regions on commercial ambitions (volumes, price position)
* Work closely with Business Development, Production, and R&D to align strategies regarding product development, portfolio producibility and campaigns
* University degree in agronomy, agricultural economics or a related field
* Several years of proven business experience in the seed industry
* Strong leadership, communication, and networking skills
* Strong commercial background (sales, marketing, portfolio or product management)
* Fluent English (other languages are a plus)
* Demonstrated ability to develop and implement long-term strategies
* Intercultural experience and an entrepreneurial mindset
* Analytical skills with a hands-on approach
* A varied and impactful role in a truly international environment
* Flat hierarchies, motivated colleagues, and an open, collaborative culture
* Flexible working hours and hybrid working options, plus international travel
* A family-owned company culture based on trust, vision, and independence
* Excellent professional development opportunities under our motto: “Make Yourself Grow!”
* Great working conditions: modern, ergonomic offices, free parking, company bike scheme, childcare allowance, and additional benefits (holiday pay, Christmas bonus, capital-forming benefits)