Job Description

Shape the Future of Vegetables with KWS

At KWS Vegetables, we don’t follow established paths — we pioneer them. With fresh thinking, boots on the ground, and a strong belief in people and innovation, we are shaping the future of the vegetable seed industry. To take our global impact to the next level, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Global Product Management to drive our Vegetable Crops division forward.

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader who is ready to make it happen, challenge the status quo, and bring a fresh way of thinking to global product management. Based in Andijk, this role sits at the heart of our strategy and execution, connecting markets, innovation, and people to deliver sustainable and profitable growth.

From Vision to Impact

As Head of Global Product Management, you will shape the future of our global vegetable crop portfolio. You will lead, inspire, and empower a diverse international team while translating strategy into tangible results — always with a Freshplorer mindset curious, bold, and driven to explore where others hesitate.

With your boots on the ground and eyes on the future, you will:

• • Leads the Global Product Management Team for all KWS Vegetables Crops (9 Crops with respective Global Product Managers)
  • Develops overarching structures for Global Product Management for effective assortment strategy development, prioritization and product market combinations (PMCs)
  • Functionally manage and steer the Product Development processes via local PD teams
  • AlignAligns structures and strategies of all vegetables to harmonize process, systems and procedures
  • Strategic management of the global crop portfolio and assortment ensuring profitable growth within the BU Vegetables
  • Align and builds crucial interface with the team towards Breeding, Research, Operations, Sales and Marketing to optimize market success
  • Impact in global crop strategy building with the team and as team takes part in all crop strategic decisions (e.g. Crop business plans, Product-Market-Combinations, Product profiles etc.)
  • Develops and portfolio governance on global product market combinations which serve as guiding principle for overall vegetables strategy
  • Drives global market intelligence and trends to ensure optimal product positioning and processes with a focus on value creation
  • Develops and implements structures within product management team (systems, processes, interfaces to other functions, lifecycle management, elevation meeting structures, trial management)
  • Definition of KPIs (in alignment with breeding) for pipeline developments and monitor short- and long-term development
  • Part of the global Management Team of the business unit Vegetables – responsible and accountable for an overall Vegetables strategy and its implementation.

You are not here to maintain — you are here to build, evolve, and lead. You combine strategic sharpness with hands-on execution and know how to energize teams around a shared vision.

You bring:

• • Open „Freshplorer“ mindset
  • A relevant academic degree and 5–10+ years of experience in the international seed industry, preferably within vegetable seeds.
  • Profound understanding of business dynamics, value chains, and cross-functional dependencies.
  • Strong leadership skills with a natural ability to build high-performing, trust-based, and diverse teams.
  • A global mindset and confidence operating in matrix organizations.
  • Fluency in English; additional languages are a strong plus.
  • Open-Minded & Entrepreneurial – You embrace change, take smart risks, and turn ideas into action.
  • People-Oriented Leader – You develop talent, empower others, and believe that great results start with great teams.
  • Analytical & Data-Driven – You connect insights to decisions and strategy to execution.
  • Self-Organizing & Proactive – You don’t wait for instructions; you rise, shine, and move things forward.
  • True Team Player – You collaborate across cultures, functions, and borders to achieve shared goals.

Why KWS Vegetables?

At KWS, we believe in Fresh thinking. Freshplorer spirit. Here, you’ll find the freedom to explore, the trust to lead, and the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the future of vegetable seeds — globally.

If you are ready to shape what’s next, not by following but by pioneering, we would love to hear from you.