Senior Breeder

Syngenta is one of the global leaders in the agribusiness, with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries, committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. By combining global expertise with close connections to our customers, we contribute to increasing crop productivity, protecting the environment, and improving health and quality of life. For more information, visit 

Senior Breeder

Type: Permanent, Fulltime (38 hours per week)

Department:      Research & Development

Location: De Lier

In action

Are you driven by the idea of developing innovative sweet pepper varieties that set new standards in the market? At Syngenta, you'll join a passionate team as Senior Sweet Pepper Breeder and play a key role in taking our Active Greenhouse (AGH) program to the next level. From the very first cross to the moment your variety will be available in stores, you'll transform market insights into solutions that make a real difference for growers, retailers, and consumers.

The Challenge

As a Breeder, you will lead the Active Greenhouse (AGH) sweet pepper breeding program from A to Z – from the first cross to the launch of market-ready varieties. You will combine deep technical know-how with strategic vision to design and execute breeding strategies that deliver peppers with exceptional flavour, shelf life, and sustainable production traits.

Working closely with fellow breeders, germplasm leaders, molecular specialists, trial coordinators, and other R&D colleagues, you will ensure every step of the process is driven by data, science, and performance targets for protected cultivation systems.

What You'll Do

• Lead the AGH sweet pepper breeding program from crossing to commercial launch.
• Translate grower and market needs into clear, measurable breeding objectives.
• Manage and optimize genetic resources and breeding germplasm portfolio.
• Plan and oversee multi-location trials in the Netherlands and key international markets.
• Implement modern breeding technologies and digital tools to accelerate selection and improve outcomes.
• Maintain breeding data integrity and documentation.
• Collaborate with global pepper breeding teams to share knowledge and align strategies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of breeding processes and resource utilization.

You'll plan crop cycles, guide selection processes, and analyze performance data. With a foundation in traditional breeding methods, you'll integrate modern tools and technologies where they add true value - achieving the best results through a balanced approach.

Your profile

What We're Looking For

• At least 8 years' experience in commercial vegetable breeding.
• MSc or PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or related field (Bachelor's degree with significant experience will be considered).
• Strong knowledge of breeding techniques, including molecular tools and digital applications.
• Excellent English skills; Dutch is a plus.

Your Strengths

• Highly organized and detail‑oriented throughout the breeding process.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities to support and guide colleagues.
• Skilled at stakeholder management and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Willingness to travel internationally
• A proactive, hands‑on professional who keeps the bigger picture in focus.

Ready to grow with us?

Join our team and help shape the future of agriculture Do you recognize yourself in this profile? Don't wait, apply now You can apply online via our intranet or our career page at

For questions, please contact our recruiter Lars Conijn at [email protected] or call/WhatsApp