Position Snapshot

Location: Tours, FR
Company: Société des Produits Nestlé SA

Activity Rate: Full-Time 
Type of contract: Permanent contract 
Travel rate: around 20% 

What we offer at Nestlé 
  

• Flexible work policies in terms of core hours and working from home. Please talk to us during the recruitment process about what flexibility would look like for you!  
• Genuine opportunities for career and personal development  
• Modern “smart office” locations providing agile & collaborative workspaces  
• Dynamic international working environment  
• Attractive additional benefits   

Position Summary   
 
Nestlé Research is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, employs approximately 1000 people and is comprised of five Nestlé Institutes: Food Sciences, Health Sciences, Food Safety & Analytical Sciences, Packaging Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences. Please have a tour of our facilities using this link or read more about Nestlé Research on our website. Please follow us on Nestlé R&D on LinkedIn.

Learn more about the Institute of Agricultural Sciences here.

As a NIAS Department Manager, your role will be providing strategic direction and leadership to our research in Plant Sciences. You will drive and support our corporate commitment on sustainability and climate change by addressing key challenges related to plant sciences, agriculture production systems and ingredient supply. As one of our dedicated projects leads, you will manage a Plant Sciences project portfolio focused on environment, quality, ensuring supply and differentiation.
 

A Day in the Life of an Department Manager – Plant Sciences
 

• Lead, coach and empower the people in the Plant Sciences department and beyond in the Institute of Agricultural Sciences
• Develop and grow the scientific expertise and technical knowhow in the field of plant sciences, agriculture production systems and, ingredients supply and build cross department proposals for translational research to support our products and innovations
• Establish external connections with recognized scientists in plant sciences and agronomy research as well as establish strategic partnerships with industries and public organizations
• Monitor emerging technologies in plant sciences and evaluate applications and possible implementation into relevant Nestlé supply chains.
• Foster cross-unit and multidisciplinary work towards a shared goal and build a competitive and innovative Plant Science portfolio with business endorsement 
• Ensure project completion within scope, on schedule and on budget, including effectively documenting and prioritizing identified issues.
• Establish close relationships with R&D and Operations and be a credible voice in and beyond Nestlé through engagement with external authorities and key opinion leaders.
• Ensure the legal conformity of the Department in accordance with the law and Nestlé France policies
• Define, secure and control financial resources in alignment with R&D priorities 
• Liaise with the R&D Plant Managers in France and local authorities
• Drive engagement and compliance with Nestlé’s values and policies

What will make you successful 
 

• Advanced scientific degree (PhD level) in Plant Sciences, Agronomy or Agriculture-related sciences
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills in a complex environment with international internal and external stakeholders, with a proven track record of building and leading interdisciplinary, high performing teams. 
• Well established in academic environments, where the academic affiliation can be kept together with this position.
• Solid knowledge in experimental design and regenerative agriculture
• Proven ability to manage resources and budget requirements
• Solid experience in managing projects and knowledge in data science
• Good experience in setting up external collaboration
• Fluent in English, French knowledge a plus 

At Nestlé, we want to help shape a better and healthier world, inspire people to live healthier lives and deliver impact at a scale and pace that makes a difference. We do this by fostering a diverse, friendly, supportive, and collaborative environment, that creates positive disruption, embraces innovation, and empowers people and teams to win. 
We aim to hire friendly, respectful, inspiring people who care about the people’s lives that we touch every single day. 
Be a force for good. Join Nestlé and visit us on www.nestle.com.