Jobs / other
Locatiemanager Veredelingslocatie Zuid-Oost Nederland
Enza Zaden · Enkhuizen
About the role
A successful new R&D location starts with strong leadership. As Location Manager, South-East Netherlands Breeding Station, you will have the unique opportunity to help build a new Enza Zaden site from the ground up, develop a team, and shape the daily operation. Through your combination of entrepreneurship, people leadership, and hands-on involvement, you will directly contribute to the production of high-quality vegetable seeds for our global breeding programmes.
Make a difference as Location Manager, South-East Netherlands Breeding Station
As Location Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of our new site in South-East Limburg, where greenhouse and open field activities come together. You will continue to build a team of permanent and seasonal employees and ensure that all operational processes related to sowing, plant propagation, crop care, and harvesting run smoothly. Currently, the permanent team consists of three colleagues. As the location continues to develop, the team will gradually expand to support future activities.
In this role, you combine operational leadership with an active presence on the work floor. Approximately half of your time will be dedicated to planning, coordination, and alignment, while the other half will be spent working alongside your team in the greenhouse or in the field. You will report to the Station Manager in Enkhuizen and work closely with breeders, R&D Operations colleagues, and various internal stakeholders.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
Leading, coaching, and further developing a team of permanent and seasonal employees;
Managing crop production and workforce activities at the site;
Ensuring quality, safety, and operational efficiency within the daily operation;
Maintaining close collaboration with breeders, commercial teams, and colleagues across R&D Operations;
Actively contributing to greenhouse and field activities as a working supervisor;
Identifying and implementing improvements in processes, facilities, and ways of working.
What you bring as our future colleague
As Location Manager, you are an entrepreneurial and decisive leader who knows how to engage and inspire people around a shared ambition. You are comfortable switching between strategic planning and operational execution and feel just as much at home reviewing schedules and budgets as you do among the crops in the greenhouse or field. With your practical mindset, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication abilities, you know how to successfully develop and grow a new location.
In addition, you bring:
Bachelor's level working and thinking ability, preferably in Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related field;
At least 5 years of leadership experience within an operational or agricultural environment;
Experience with cultivation processes in greenhouse and/or open field environments;
Proven experience in building, developing, and leading teams;
Affinity with planning, budget management, and operational coordination;
A hands-on mentality and willingness to regularly support operational activities on-site;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English;
A valid driver's licence.
Enza Zaden