Head of Research & Development (M/F)

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

What we expect of you

You are a highly experienced (at least 15 years experience) and inspiring R&D leader with a strong scientific background and a proven ability to translate innovation into business impact. You combine long-term vision with operational excellence and thrive in complex, multicultural environments.

You bring:

PhD in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Science, or Biological Science

A strong track record in R&D leadership within the seed industry, preferably vegetable seeds

Profound knowledge of Genetics, Biotechnology, Pathology, Molecular Biology, and new tools and technologies

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

You are impact-driven, forward-thinking, and committed to advancing science, people, and performance within a global organization.

Recruitment process

Once your application has been submitted, an acknowledgement of receipt will confirm its receipt.

We will study your profile in relation to the needs of the position and the company.

If your application is selected, the following steps are part of our process:

After a prequalification interview, you will meet your manager and HR Director.
Then we will ask you to participate into the assessment process.
Finally, you will meet the CEO of Hazera, the HR Director and your matrix manager from Limagrain Vegetable Seeds

Groupe Limagrain is an employer that respects diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds