Site Director

The organisation

Avebe started as “Aardappelmeel Verkoop Bureau” in 1919. At that time to improve sales for several independent potato starch cooperatives. Now, 100 years later, we are continuously producing and improving solutions based on potato starch and proteins for Food, Industrial and Feed. The Avebe cooperative has grown to a global market leader in potato starch and potato protein.  

The company consists of four departments: Research & Breeding, Operations and our Commercial sales offices in Veendam and in Germany. The breeding and research program is carried out on various test fields in the Netherlands and Germany and in modern laboratories in Valthermond. The propagation activities are coordinated from the head office in Veendam.

A new focus area of Averis Seeds B.V. is within hybrid breeding, in which we collaborate with partner Solynta. Using hybrid parental lines, varieties with all kinds of important properties, such as yield increases or resistances, can be developed in a much shorter period than in traditional breeding programs. Given the potential of hybrid technology, Avebe is enthusiastic about these developments. We are therefore eagerly looking forward to the practical applications of hybrid technology in potatoes. Avebe sees prospects in particular in the area of accelerating genetic progress.

The position

Averis Seeds B.V. is a 100% subsidiary of Avebe and an important strategic pillar of the Avebe Strengthen and Accelerate corporate strategy. As the Site Director of Averis you are overseeing the overall picture related to the progress of the strategic goals of the company.

The Site Director is responsible for all activities (research & breeding, operations and commerce) within the Dutch departments of Averis Seeds BV. In this position you work together with the Director Averis Saatzucht GmbH, that is responsible for the German business. The Site Director Averis NL oversees all research and breeding projects, also taking in mind the strategic partnership with Solynta. It also includes the continuation of development and planning of our innovation pipeline and project portfolio.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation of Averis’ ambitious strategic objectives
• Make a critical contribution to strategy development and formulates policy, structures processes
• Responsible for coordinating the development of our research innovation funnel and corresponding projects and assure sufficient stakeholder involvement with our key partners
• Representing Averis in various national and international research environments, programs and consortia aimed at contributing to scientific expertise
• Responsible for operational management with regard to research and breeding; activities for variety development and testing methods, breeding, as well as operations and commerce
• Interact with our established base of seed potato growers and demonstrate agility in a changing environment given changing policy measures in a changing agricultural policy landscape

The Site Director Averis Netherlands reports to the Managing Director Agro & Strategy.

Candidate profile

In this position you work with a team of 20 employees within various job positions. You are a people-oriented and communicative manager who knows how to connect employees with each other, both within the department and with other departments of Avebe.

Job-requirements:

• Academic Master degree or equivalent experience in the field of biology, chemistry, life sciences or plant breeding
• Demonstrable track record of collaborative and cross-disciplinary working
• People manager with good communication skills, able to motivate and stimulate employees in a changing environment
• Strong networker that knows how to connect employees with each other within and outside Averis
• Getting things done attitude
• Languages: Dutch, English and preferably German verbal and written

The offer

Averis offers a challenging job in a dynamic environment with interesting career opportunities. There is plenty of room for personal development, possibility to follow professional training courses.

• A competitive primary and secondary benefits package
• Becoming part of a highly motivated, innovation driven team
• A very good pension scheme
• There is a good relocation and accommodation allowance scheme for candidates from outside the Northern region

Interested?

You can apply for this position by using the link below.