Site Operations Guide

This role is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient management of the Wageningen Vegetable R&D site. It ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a robust license to operate, while maintaining site infrastructure, managing budgets and capacity, and representing Bayer to external organizations and stakeholders.

YOUR KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety, Compliance & License to Operate

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) in accordance with Bayer’s internal policies and all applicable local, national, and international regulations.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, including stewardship for regulated materials (e.g., biotech traits, treated seeds, phytosanitary standards).
• Maintain the site’s license to operate by ensuring all operations, documentation, and protocols meet or exceed regulatory and company standards.

NL R&D Site Maintenance Strategy & Overview

• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of all site infrastructure, including greenhouses, fields, office environments for Veg R&D sites in the Netherlands.
• Develop and execute a site maintenance strategy to ensure uninterrupted operations and long-term asset integrity.
• Manage 3rd party contractors and facility services to uphold site safety, tidiness, and operational readiness.
• Ensure seamless operation of the site enabling teams to produce seeds and deliver data to support breeding and research objectives.

Site Budget & Capacity Management

• Develop, manage, and optimize the site’s OPEX and CAPEX budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet R&D and production needs.
• Monitor and report on site capacity, ensuring the delivery of required seed quantities and quality to support pipelines advancement.
• Supervise resource planning for facilities, equipment, and personnel to maximize operational efficiency and support business growth.

Day-to-Day Operations

• Coordinate and guide site staff, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement ensuring seamless execution of research and seed generation programs.
• Oversee asset management, procurement, and vendor relationships in alignment with corporate policies.

Representation & External Relations

• Represent Bayer and the Wageningen site to local authorities, regulatory bodies, and external organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for site communications, emergency announcements, and public affairs.
• Foster positive relationships with external stakeholders, ensuring Bayer’s reputation and license to operate are maintained.

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.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Plant Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in site operations, facility management, or seed production within R&D or agricultural settings.
• Proven leadership in managing cross-functional teams and complex infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of compliance, safety, and asset management protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resources, and capacity in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to represent the organization externally.
• Strong proficiency in both Dutch and English, with the ability to communicate effectively across teams.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

In this role you will work closely with:

• EMEA- ASIA Seed Generation & Phenotyping Capability and Hub Leads
• Maintenance Technicians
• Veg R&D Site Community at Wageningen and Bergschenhoek
• Site Operations and Crop Production Teams
• External Vendors, Contractors, and Regulatory Authorities
• HR, Finance, and IT at regional and local levels
• You will report to the Operations Site Lead EMEA & Asia

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.
• A gross monthly salary between € 5.938,- and € 7.422,- based on a 38-hour workweek, depending on your education and work experience.
• An additional 8,33% holiday allowance and a bonus (based on company results).
• 25 days of leave, with the option of buying a maximum of 10 additional days
• You have the option to work from home, but we expect you at least 3-4 days per week at the office.
• If you work from home, Bayer provides the required tools and a monthly internet allowance.
• 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.