Head of Research & Development (M/F)

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries.

As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.

Hazera is a global vegetable seed company, part of the Limagrain Group - a leader in the Vegetable Seed business with its three business units: Hazera, HM.CLAUSE and Vilmorin Mikado.

R&D is at the heart of innovation and our business success.

Currently, we are looking to recruit the next Global Head of R&D in Hazera.

Job Missions

Your Missions Will Include The Following

• Define and execute Hazera’s medium- and long-term R&D strategy in alignment with LVS R&D priorities
• Set clear objectives and governance for R&D teams to deliver strategic crop priorities and a competitive product portfolio
• Ensure excellence in breeding, trialing, applied genetics, and R&D operations, while protecting intellectual property
• Drive the adoption of state-of-the-art breeding technologies, tools, and processes in collaboration with LVS R&D
• Champion continuous innovation by anticipating market needs, industry trends, and technological advances
• Ensure efficient program execution with strong interfaces to Production and Marketing, accelerating speed to market
• Lead and develop global R&D teams across multiple geographies (Israel, Netherlands, subsidiaries), fostering performance, engagement, and talent growth
• Oversee R&D resource allocation, budgets, and CAPEX prioritization in alignment with strategic objectives
• Build and manage internal and external research collaborations with academic institutions, research centers, and partners
• Contribute actively to the LVS Research Leadership Management Team, shaping group-wide R&D strategy and cross-BU synergies
  
  

• A strong track record in R&D leadership within the seed industry, preferably vegetable seeds
• Deep expertise in plant breeding, genetics, and R&D technologies and operations
• The ability to lead large, international, and multidisciplinary teams
• A strategic mindset with strong execution discipline and a clear focus on results
• Solid business and financial acumen to guide R&D investments and resource allocation
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and building high-performing teams
• Strong decision-making capabilities in complex and evolving environments
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence at senior and group level
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset
  
  

• After a prequalification interview, we will ask you to complete personality inventories and reasoning tests that will serve as a basis for an interview with the Group's Talent Management.
• Then you will meet your manager and your dotter line manager.