Business Controller R&D - KWS vegetables - contributing …, Andijk

Business Controller R&D - KWS vegetables - contributing directly to the growth ambitions KWS Saat, a traditional breeder and global market leader in sugar beet seeds, as well as a leading player in cereal crops, began investing in a dedicated Vegetables Business Unit in 2017, focusing on the breeding and commercialization of vegetable seeds. The initial crop portfolio included tomato, pepper, cucumber, melon and watermelon. In 2019, KWS acquired Pop Vriend Seeds, a family-owned company from Andijk and global market leader in spinach seeds, with strong positions in beans, swiss chard and red beet, and integrated it into KWS Vegetables. To support this growth, KWS continues to strengthen and professionalize its R&D capabilities. The Business Controller R&D plays a key role as part of the R&D team, contributing directly to these growth ambitions.

Finance Business Partner for the R&D function, driving improvements and supporting value creation through investment decisions on breeding technologies and crop portfolios

Responsible for the Planning&Control cycle, including budgeting, forecasting, CAPEX and Crop P&L

Projects: business cases for Strategic Crop Teams, enhanced cost control, and process improvements

Stakeholders: Lead of Controlling, Finance Team, Strategic Crop Teams, Head of R&D

As a Business Controller R&D, you report directly to the Lead of Controlling. You are part of the Controlling team together with the Sales&Marketing Controller and the Operations Controller. Each Controller has a specific area of focus, and together you support the business.

In this role, you are a key business partner to the R&D organization and a critical sparring partner for the Research&Development Leadership Team. You support strategic decision-making within R&D by providing financial insights and ensuring alignment between multi-year breeding strategies, resource allocation and execution. As Business Controller R&D, you contribute to the further professionalization of the R&D organization and support its growth ambitions by strengthening financial steering and transparency.

You work closely with Strategic Crop Teams, where long-term crop strategies are defined and progress is monitored across the full development lifecycle from early-stage breeding and trials to market introduction. Within these teams, you support long-term planning and business cases, for example by assessing investments in new breeding technologies, trial programs or portfolio choices across crops and regions, and translating R&D strategy into clear financial priorities.

On a recurring basis, you are responsible for budgeting, forecasting and monitoring R&D costs and crop P&Ls in an environment characterized by long innovation cycles and increasing investment levels. You analyze financial data, identify trends and risks such as deviations in trial costs or shifts in portfolio priorities, and translate these insights into management reporting that supports decision-making and keeps the organization on track.

Good to know

In a rapidly growing and innovation-driven environment, strong business insights are essential. As a Business Controller R&D, you develop tools and dashboards to monitor KPIs, reduce manual reporting and improve cost control. With your forward-looking analyses and reliable forecasts, you enable the R&D organization to make well-informed choices, improve operational excellence and ultimately drive sustainable growth.

Who are you?

You prefer to be close to the business and have a strong drive to understand what is happening across the organization. You have a solid financial and analytical foundation, can identify issues and translate them into practical solutions. You have a strong attention to detail while maintaining a clear focus on the bigger picture. You are proactive in advising stakeholders and colleagues and can adapt your communication style to different audiences.

“As a Business Controller, we are looking for someone with a strong personality and drive. An energetic, approachable and curious professional who is authentic and a true team player. Someone who proactively engages with the business, seeks dialogue, and explores what stakeholders need to make better decisions. A professional who builds the trust and relationships required to act as a genuine business partner.”

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Accounting, Business Administration or Business Economics

>5 years of experience as a (Business) Controller, Analyst or Financial Consultant

Agricultural or sector-specific background is a plus

Strong knowledge of Excel, affinity with ERP systems and Power BI

Excellent communication skills in English and preferably Dutch

High energy level, a strong analytical skillset combined with a hands-on mentality: pragmatic and action-oriented

Team-player focused on delivering quality who is able to work collaboratively in (crossfunctional) team dynamics

Self-starting professional who drives improvements where this is identified

Want to know more?

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Finance and Analyst

Industries

Farming

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