Processing Program and Portfolio Lead

About the Role

Processing Program and Portfolio Lead at Bayer's Vegetable Seed Production Innovation unit. You will own and steer an integrated portfolio of applied research, readiness, and innovation initiatives for VSPS Seed Processing units across multi-crop, multi-site operations and quality testing labs. The role translates strategic business needs into prioritized programs and aligns technical execution with business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Translate business priorities and operational needs into clear program objectives, outcomes, and success metrics.
• Own and manage a diverse portfolio of cross-functional projects focused on applied research, innovation, and readiness for seed production and processing.
• Drive and support prioritization, sequencing, and resource allocation of initiatives across multiple technical teams and disciplines.
• Serve as primary point of contact to ensure alignment between VSPS Processing units, working teams (inside and outside SPI), and operational functions.
• Guide projects through the full lifecycle from concept and prioritization to validation, deployment preparation, and implementation.
• Provide portfolio-level oversight on progress, risks, dependencies, and return on investment.
• Foster collaboration across research, SPI, PS and functions such as engineering, quality, production, and processing to remove barriers to execution.
• Assist in annual budget and resource planning for programs within scope (OPEX/CAPEX) and ensure adherence to quality, safety, and governance frameworks.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in portfolio & program management, business translation & outcome definition, and cross-functional stakeholder management; ideally in seed production and product supply.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into executable programs and define success metrics.
• Solid understanding of product supply, production, processing, and applied innovation contexts.
• Expertise in prioritization & trade-off decision-making, resource & budget planning (OPEX/CAPEX), and delivery governance & readiness oversight.
• Background in agriculture, seed production, or similar industries is a strong advantage.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to travel globally up to 15%.

Benefits

Modern employer prioritizing employee well-being, career development and work-life balance, with an innovative working environment and competitive compensation. Benefits vary by location; your recruiter will provide location-specific details.

Additional Information

• Division: Crop Science.
• Locations include Bergschenhoek and Enkhuizen (Netherlands); Viluco (Chile); Aurangabad (India); Khon Kaen (Thailand); Oxnard (USA).
• Employment type: full-time, onsite.
• Application: submit resume and cover letter in a single document. Selection process includes a phone screening followed by two interview rounds with the hiring manager and key team members.