Breeding Assistant Calla

Bosweg 46, 1756 CJ 't Zand, Netherlands

Flowers and plants have a strong emotional value for the people who buy them. Their potential to inspire is endless – They can make our day, brighten up the house, or turn the garden into a paradise.

Dümmen Orange is a leading breeder and propagator of flowers and plants. Our goal is to inspire people and create a better, more beautiful world. We offer an impressive portfolio of crops and varieties to growers, wholesalers and retailers around the world. 

We are looking for a Breeding Assistant for our Calla Breeding team in ‘t Zand (Noord-Holland).

Why is this your job?

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Breeding Assistant to support our Zantedeschia (Calla) breeding program. In this role, you will assist in the execution of breeding plans, support data management, and contribute to the development of new, high-performing varieties.

You will work closely with the breeder and other R&D colleagues to carry out a range of activities including greenhouse phenotyping, field evaluations, data entry, and preparation of trials. This hands-on position is ideal for someone with a strong interest in plant breeding, precision, and teamwork.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Support the execution of breeding plans for Zantedeschia / Calla;

• Maintain and update selection data using breeding software tools;

• Conduct greenhouse phenotyping using established protocols;

• Prepare trial materials, including lists and labels, in alignment with breeder instructions;

• Assist with hand-pollinations and controlled crosses in the greenhouse;

• Perform field phenotyping to evaluate selection performance;

• Compile trial reports on test varieties and coordinate with Product Management.

Who are you?

• You hold an MSc in Plant Breeding or related field; or a BSc in Plant Breeding with at least 5 years of experience in a comparable role;

• You master the English language, spoken and written. Dutch is an advantage;

• You are accurate, independent, stress-resistant and know how to switch quickly and effectively when the situation requires it;

• You enjoy a mix of greenhouse, field, and desk-based work;

• You are willing to relocate to or live in the north of the Netherlands; 

• You are motivated to learn all aspects of Calla breeding at Dümmen Orange.

What do you get in return?

Dümmen Orange has major international ambitions with innovation technology and quality high on the agenda. There is plenty of room for autonomy, personal growth and you are part of an expert team. This allows you to optimally develop as a driven professional in your field. There is a supportive and open working environment where sharing knowledge, collaboration and achieving common goals are very important.

We also offer:

• An attractive salary depending on your knowledge and experience;

• Full-time employment (based on 38 hours);

• 25,5 vacation days on a full-time basis;

• A personal development plan based on continuous learning and our core values of commitment, focus, passion and responsibility.

• An international working environment;

• Collective Labour Agreement for the Greenhouse Horticulture Sector with, among other things, good leave arrangements and a good pension scheme (BPL Pension). We invest in your future by paying 2/3 of the pension premium;

Who are we?

We are a leading international breeder and propagator of flowers and plants. Our breeders enhance characteristics such as colour, fragrance, and shape, as well as less visible traits like disease resistance, higher yield per square meter, and extended vase life. In production locations across Africa, South and Central America we have 330+ hectares of production space at our disposal. For Calla, we produce planting material that growers use to grow the tubers under licensees. Our dedicated sales team for Calla works together with colleagues in other ornamental crops around the world.

With a leading R&D team, a diverse network of our own propagation sites, and over a century of experience in floriculture, we are the trusted source for industry expertise and innovation in floriculture breeding.

The products our industry produces have a strong emotional value for the consumers who buy them. Our purpose is to inspire people and create a better, more beautiful world. Our team of 6,600 dedicated, focused, and passionate professionals works across the globe. Our head office is located in De Lier, the Netherlands, where also our Breeding Technology Centre resides. We have other breeding locations in the Netherlands and abroad.

Your application 

Do you dare to bloom and are you ready to take your career to the next level? Click on the button below to apply for this job. If you have questions about the job, you can contact Michelle Curtis, via M.Curtis@DummenOrange.com.  

Acquisition with reference to this advertisement will not be appreciated.