Product Development Area Manager EMEA North - BASF | Nunhems - Haelen/Nunhem

At BASF | Nunhems, we create innovative seed varieties and smart solutions for tomorrow’s needs. With over 100 years of breeding experience, we combine genetics, data, and global partnerships to deliver vegetables people love — today and for generations to come. To further develop and grow this ambition we are looking for a Product Development Area Manager EMEA North - BASF | Nunhems - Haelen/Nunhem.

Your Job

Do you want to lead product development across North EMEA and help turn promising vegetable varieties into successful solutions for growers and customers?

As Product Development Area Manager North EMEA, you lead the Product Development Specialists and Trialing team across Benelux, France, UK/Nordics and DACH. You connect people, market insights and data to strengthen product decisions, accelerate successful variety introductions and create value for customers and the business.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, coach and develop the Product Development and Trialing team, creating an environment of ownership, collaboration and continuous learning.


• Translate crop and business strategies into clear product development priorities and plans for North EMEA.


• Drive effective and innovative trialing, using data, digital solutions and market insights to support strong product decisions.


• Guide teams in developing compelling value propositions and market positioning for new varieties.


• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, R&D, crop and country teams to strengthen customer engagement and successful product introductions.


• Connect expertise across countries and functions, encouraging knowledge sharing and best-practice exchange.


• Manage budgets and resources effectively, focusing investments on the priorities with the greatest business and customer impact.


• Lead change and continuous improvement across Product Development and Trialing.

Your Team

You will lead a diverse Product Development and Trialing organization of 14+ colleagues across North EMEA and report to the Head of Product Development EMEA. 

Collaboration is at the heart of the role. You will work with Product Development, Trialing, Sales, Marketing, R&D, crop and country teams, as well as customers and growers. Together, you will strengthen the connection between product development, market needs and commercial success.

Your Profile

What knowledge and experience make you successful in this role?

• A relevant BSc with 10 years, MSc with 8 years, or PhD with 6 years of relevant experience.


• Strong experience in people leadership, coaching and team development.


• Proven ability to translate strategy into action and manage priorities, projects and resources.


• Strong analytical skills and confidence using data and market insights to make decisions.


• Experience working across functions and with stakeholders in a complex, international environment.


• Strong customer and market orientation, combined with effective communication and problem-solving skills.


• A high level of English and Dutch; French is an advantage.


• Willingness to travel within the region and internationally. 

How do you create impact beyond expertise?

Own it
You take responsibility, create clarity and empower others to take ownership. You build relationships based on trust, openness and reliability.

Drive it
You turn ideas and strategies into action. You connect people across teams and countries, embrace change and continuously look for better ways to work.

Excel in it
You combine expertise, data and market understanding to make sound decisions. You set high standards, encourage learning and keep customer and business impact at the center of your work