Product Development Manager Africa

Your job as Product Development Manager at Rijk Zwaan:

Rijk Zwaan is committed to develop its presence in the vegetable seed market and promote Rijk Zwaan varieties to growers, wholesalers and retailers in Sub Saharan Africa. We believe in finding the best possible varieties for growers and helping them to get the best yield and quality, while keeping in mind the requirements of the end-users. As Product Development Manager you fulfill an essential role in carrying out product development and commercial activities in the main vegetable growing regions of East Africa (with focus on Kenya and Tanzania), in close cooperation with RZ distributors. You will be responsible to develop the product pipeline for all relevant vegetable crops across the region in order to achieve a higher market share for Rijk Zwaan.

You will be involved in:

• Analyzing, sharing and acting on market information together with global crop teams & the Sub Sahara African commercial team, collaborating to develop crop strategies;
• Organizing pre-commercial trials to identify potential new varieties, in cooperation with the commercial managers, distributors and global crop teams;
• Collecting, analyzing and sharing trial information with global crop teams & the Sub Saharan Africa commercial team;
• Developing commercial introduction plans of RZ varieties and concepts in the East African and wider Saharan Africa vegetable market;
• Providing services, including cultivation advice, to customers and partners in accordance with commercial strategy and company culture;
• Co-developing client plans including sales forecasts and actions that contribute to higher customer satisfaction.
• Assisting in field days, client visits and RZ colleague visits in the region;
• Travelling within Sub Saharan Africa as well as internationally in order to maintain an up-to-date overview of global and local product portfolios.

Your contribution:

You are creative, and an energetic and entrepreneurial person. You are a good communicator and bridge builder with good social skills. You have a commercial mindset but can see over the horizon to prepare a future product pipeline. You are proactive with good analytical skills and naturally you are honest and frank. You are self-supporting and you are able and willing to travel within East Africa, across the Sub Saharan Africa region and also outside Africa to carry out your role. In addition, we expect the following:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in a product development position with experience in our agricultural sector.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in an international setting.
• Experience in extension, farmer training in the East African context.
• Experience in trial planning and execution including data collection for variety advancement decisions.
• Good knowledge of English (speaking and writing) and Swahili (native or fluent).
• Good knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams and use of the internet
• Driving license and good experience in driving for at least 2 years in Kenya.

What can you expect from us?

Besides an international work environment, we are happy to offer you:

• a permanent contract from the start;
• competitive salary based on job level and experience;
• stimulating international travel within the Rijk Zwaan network
• various training opportunities through our Rijk Zwaan Academy;
• an entrepreneurial and innovative work environment with ever new challenges.

Where will you be working?

As Product Development Manager you will be part of the Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) Team, reporting to the Business Manager of the SSA Cluster. The SSA team consists of colleagues carrying out breeding, product & sales development and chain activities. Rijk Zwaan has been active in SSA over 15 years together with our commercial partners in 18 countries. We support vegetable growers from large to small in finding the best solution for their enterprises, both in open field and under protection.

How to Apply:

If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the criteria given above, please submit your application letter with a detailed CV attached with relevant academic certificates with the subject “SSA Product Development manager” to ajira@rijkzwaan.com before June 21, 2024.

We will consider your application carefully, which may take some time. Only shortlisted candidates will hear from us as soon as possible.

A full background check is part of the procedure.