col-wideJob Description:
**Description**:
We are looking for an experienced Technical Director (EMEA) for a multinational company of the Agriculture sector
**Summary**:
- Essential role by managing the processes of the international breeding programs.
- Member of the Management Team in Europe.
- Collaborate with the head breeders and the research team at PSI in the US.
- Lead a small team of experts in Europe.
- Achieve goals to find best performing soft fruit varieties for EMEA.
- Represent the company in EMEA.
- Preferably based in Spain.
**FUNCTIONS**:
**Research program leadership & technical guidance (70%)**
- Accountable for overall program and budget development, technical and operational execution, and reporting on technical activities in EMEA.
- Oversee and lead the European crossing program and seedling growing out activities in close cooperation with the breeders at PSI in the US.
- Accountable for high health programs to provide sufficient clean stock in a timely manner in close cooperation with service providers (3rd party labs and propagators).
- Oversee and lead the trialing and variety selection process in close cooperation with strategic customers.
- Frequent visits to the trial sites throughout EMEA.
**Represent Plant Sciences (10%)**
- Serve as an ambassador for Plant Sciences by developing and maintaining strong relationships with key partners (propagators, strategic growers, service providers).
- Support the team in its commercial efforts to introduce existing and new crops and varieties into existing key markets as well as new geographies.
- Develop and maintain a good network with advanced research institutes and universities.
**Supervise staff (20%)**
- Foster a team culture among direct reports and other team members to deliver organizational results.
- Guide and support direct reports in their individual responsibilities and personal development.
**Requirements**:
- Master degree in plant sciences or equivalent education.
- 10+ years of experience in the horticultural industry, preferably soft fruit.
- Specific knowledge about blackberries and blueberries is more than welcome.
- Experience in leading complex research projects in an international context.
- Proven ability to collaborate in an international research environment.
- Knowledge of data management, data analysis and statistics.
- Experience with intellectual property issues.
- Fluent in English, Spanish would be a plus.
- Willing to travel frequently.
