Vegetable Breeding Nursery Associate

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where ‘Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Within Bayer, we're changing the way we work— for higher productivity, faster innovation, and better results. We call it Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO).

The Vegetable Breeding Nursery Associate is responsible for supporting vegetable pipelines to ensure success in nursery operations & inventory management, through collection of genotypic samples, planning of crossing blocks, and preparation of trialing packages for testing teams. The Vegetable Breeding Nursery Associate will ensure execution of experimental protocols, proper agronomic practices and crop management techniques, and high throughput data collection to enable advancements of vegetable produces. This role will also intensively connect across sites/regions for collaborating initiatives to enhance operation excellence. You will report to the EMEA/ASIA Nursery & Inventory Management Lead. This position requires full-time presence at the Bergschenhoek site.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all day-to-day operations on the research site that are part of the research Nursery/Double haploid production/Seed inventory and shipments operation and manage producing functions such as greenhouse, field, and seed operation
• Work with cutting edge proprietary field research equipment and innovative technologies in support of the nursery programs
• Schedule activities according to crop cycles, supervise workforce, and maintain records
• Model daily pollination and hand harvesting efforts to achieve efficiency and maintain accuracy of resource usage and forecasting
• Leverage metrics applications and quality control processes to realize accuracy, efficiency and expanded improvements to protocols
• Collect quality data in enterprise systems and conduct data quality check and assurance to enable timely advancement of vegetable products and functioning of breeding programs
• Collaborate with the Testing Research Associates/Breeders, in needed data collection and analysis for any off-site breeding managed from the site
• Partner with stakeholders across the organization to deliver results within the crops, including performing all analyses necessary to drive pipeline advancement, support crop placement
• Apply proper planning tools to manage tasks such as capacity request and management, transplanting, pollination and harvest. Coordinate with Head of Nursery & Head of Crop Production to own the plan and workforce execution for breeding operational tasks as planned, including marker sampling and trial plan execution (seed packet filling, trial preparation and sowing, trial execution, harvest and broad data collection)
• Explore new technologies to increase capacity, speed up current processes, and deploy novel technologies in data collection, crop management and seed production
• Proactively identify opportunities to assist in improving established procedures, and lead troubleshooting activities through root cause analysis and troubleshooting techniques
• Ensure compliance with Worker Protection Standards (WPS) as well as Bayer safety guidelines and housekeeping practices
• Perform tasks to ensure compliance with Bayer policies and quality standard, including safeguarding of equipment daily use logs, calibration and maintenance
• Manage seed, health, seed inventory and (support) national and international seed shipments
• Available to work outside business hours if needed for crop care and if (technical) problems occur and participate in the technical emergency service.

Creating value to, on and beyond the farm by offering tailored solutions, that’s what we do. At Bayer Vegetable Seeds, we are dedicated to developing new vegetable seed varieties that growers around the world can cultivate. By combining our passion and in-depth knowledge, we strive for crop optimization and innovation for the benefit of farmers, consumers and our planet. From glasshouses to open fields, we join our forces with science and mother nature to advance health and nutrition. Do you want to join this team as well?

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ year experience or master’s degree, in plant breeding, horticulture, vegetal sciences or in a related field of research
• Proficient with computer software; demonstrated abilities to design experiments, collect data accurately, analyze and interpret data and understand how to apply them to achieve business results; basic data skills (statistics, data visualization et al.) is required and advanced skill set (programing, coding et al.) will be bonus
• Ability to perform successfully in a fast-paced, dynamic, team-based environment. Manages multiple projects and priorities
• Strong problem solving, track record of process improvement, and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence partners and customers
• Capacity to communicate and work effectively with all management levels in a multi-cultural organization
• Passion to grow and willingness to be intellectually challenged, willingness to influence and inspire others
• Excellent English communication skills are required
• You are residing in the Netherlands / Rotterdam area.

WHAT BAYER OFFERS YOU
As a modern employer, we take care of our employees and help them find a balance between career development opportunities and personal life planning. We offer our employees a wide range of career prospects, a modern working environment and competitive compensation. Bayer employees benefit from great employment conditions, such as:

• An excellent competitive salary based on a 38-hour workweek depending on your education and work experience
• An additional 8,33% holiday allowance and a bonus
• 25 days of leave, with the option of buying a maximum of 10 additional days
• A solid retirement plan and bicycle lease plan
• An inspiring working environment with professional and committed colleagues
• A successful innovative organization with international career possibilities
• Challenges and possibilities to learn and to develop
• At Bayer, we value your well-being. We offer support via our employee assistance program and provide various tools and initiatives to enhance your well-being.

Be innovative, be Bayer. We shape the future of everyday health, patient care and agriculture. Together, we can advance health and nutrition for all. Guided by our purpose ‘science for a better life’, rooted in our DSO approach and steered by the organization’s strategy, we reach for our ambitious vision. Help bring this vision to life: Health for all, hunger for none’.

INTERESTED IN THIS VACANCY?
Do you have a question or do you want to learn more about the position? You can always contact Heidi Kroon, Sr. Talent Advisor, heidi.kroon.ext@bayer.com.

Do you want to work in a place where you can be just YOU?

Your unique personality, background and talents help build a strong, diverse and inclusive Bayer.

So join us! Be You, Be Bayer.

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