Production Manager Protein Crops (m/f/d)

We are looking to recruit a Production Manager Protein Crops (m/f/d) to take a pioneering role in setting up and managing the production of seeds and crops for protein extraction purposes, serving KWS food ingredients ambitions. The position will be an integral part of our KWS food ingredients team. It will be filled on a full-time and permanent basis at our headquarters in Germany/Einbeck (KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA).

Your new challenge:

• You will be responsible for the (contra-)seasonal production of protein crops (especially peas) in the field and greenhouse, including production planning, selection and management of growers, and coordination of sampling, harvesting and logistics.
• You will assure and verify production meets regulatory and customer requirements regarding quality (e.g. organic production), identity preservation, phytosanitary status.
• You will establish and coordinate logistics to transfer seeds/grains to grower and processing partners.
• You provide agronomic advice and conduct crop status monitoring with contract growers
• You will ensure professional inventory management from seed to protein and set it up if necessary, assuring transparency on seed/grain flow.
• You will be responsible to assure production serves needs from KWS‘ food industry partner and product development projects.
• You provide input on capacity and quantity planning for R&D/commercial usage
• You will work closely with our internal plant breeding and production teams as well as the Lead R&D and Protein Production Manager KFI to coordinate seed maintenance and propagation for both research and commercial purposes
• You are continuously looking for new approaches to improve cost efficiency and quality parameters.
• You embrace the opportunity to be an influential member of a new initiative in the dynamic and fast-moving plant-based food ingredients trend.

Your profile:

• Bsc, MSc or equivalent education in agriculture, or adjacent sciences
• Min of 3 years’ experience in agricultural crop production in field and controlled environments (preferable peas)
• Experience in organic production and/or the processing of protein crops including respective networks is an advantage
• You have a hands-on attitude, pro-actively tackling challenges and finding solutions
• Innovative and out-of-the-box mindset
• Excellent communication and networking skills
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Very good German and English language skills
• Driving license mandatory (Class B)
• High willingness to travel

To make yourself grow with us… What can we offer to help you grow?

• As a family-run company we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, foresight and independence – this culture is lived in practice creating thus an open and friendly working atmosphere.
• True to our motto Make yourself grow, we support employees’ professional and personal development.
• We offer excellent work equipment (e.g. the newest laboratory equipment), a fully-fledged, subsidized canteen and sufficient free parking spaces at the KWS location.
• We offer capital formation benefits, Christmas and holiday bonuses, childcare allowance and a job bike.

Did we spark your interest? We welcome online applications via our Tool SuccessFactors.

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year . A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development. For more information: Follow us on LinkedIn® at company/kwsgroup/.
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