Reference: 2021-6478

OVERALL CONTEXT :
Limagrain Field Seeds breeds, produces, and commercializes field seeds to farmers. Investments in Research and Development reach 14.3% of the annual Group turnover.
The fourth largest seed company worldwide, Limagrain is an international agricultural cooperative group, founded and managed by French farmers. As a creator and producer of plant varieties, Limagrain distributes field seeds, vegetable and cereal products.
Limagrain Research is present in India since 2002 and is performing world class level Research in Maize, Rice and Pearl Millet breeding.
 We are looking for a Head of Research to lead our organization in India to deliver innovative products into the Indian market. This is a management position within Field Seeds Research, reporting to the Head of Asia-Pacific Research

MAIN MISSIONS

Research Strategy and business orientation:

• Define, in close consultation with business teams, the short, medium, and long-term objectives of the breeding programs and the target product portfolio for India
• Contribute to the formulation and lead the execution of the strategy to build a competitive portfolio, in close coordination with Development and Marketing teams.
• Play a key role at the interface between Research and Commercial teams to ensure research activities are targeting the right market segment and business needs, being an active participant of the India Executive Committee
• Full management responsibilities of the Maize, Rice, Millet breeding programs. Work with the breeders and the research management to design and implement the strategy and coordinate the programs: crossing plan, selection schemes, genomic selection, disease nurseries.
• Support Maize Line Breeding for India and the utilization of new molecular marker technologies in all Crops in cooperation with Asia-Pacific Head of Maize Line Development and Molecular Breeding
• Support the India Barley Research program according guidelines from the Head of Barley Research
• Optimize Hybrid breeding schemes using available methodologies, technologies and tools
• Represents Limagrain on various research events or third parties' collaborations in India. Review and recommend new proposals for external collaborations in India
• Steer innovation in coordination with relevant internal or external stakeholders and maintain a high technical and scientific level
• Be an active member of Asia-Pacific Research Leadership Team contributing to the management of Research in the region

Operational responsibilities:

• Full management responsibilities of the phenotyping network and research seed production
• Optimization of the phenotyping network to respond to market segments as defined by the Marketing and Business teams.
• Assure with the Seed Production and Testing Managers the delivery of high quality, timely and cost-efficient seeds and data to support the Breeding programs
• Manage key indicators: field results, agronomic performance.
• Assess material through field visits, analyze all relevant data for decision making

People: Management

• Supervise and mentor breeders.
• Ensure that all team members follow the company standards (health, safety and environment and other).
• Promote innovation and maintain high technical and scientific level of his / her team.
• Develop close relationship with Maize breeders operating in other programs or other territories as well as all Limagrain Field Seed Research organization

Finance:

• Coordinate the allocation of resources across the different research programs and crops
• Prepare, defend and execute budgets and investments for India research. In collaboration with management, propose mid-term

PROFIL :

• PhD or equivalent in Plant Breeding and Genetics, or a closely related field, is required.
• Strong demonstrated knowledge in breeding, quantitative genetics, agronomy
• Experience as a plant breeder of maize or another hybrid crop in a successful commercial program
• Knowledge of the India Maize, Rice and Pearl Millet seed market, associated biotic and abiotic stresses, and relevant germplasm base would be appreciated
• Ability to use software for data analyses, management, presentation, and reporting; general competence in statistics and data management is required
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills are needed.
• Leadership skills and experience in managing people and programs desired as well as leading and driving changes.

JOIN US!
If you are interested please send your CV and a short letter to the following url address:
https://talent.limagrain.com/job/job-head-of-india-field-seeds-research-h-f-_6478.aspx