At BASF | Nunhems, it is our ambition to make healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable. Together and in collaboration with partners we are eager to improve our vegetable varieties and solutions for our customers, the vegetable value chain and consumers worldwide. To further develop and grow this ambition we are looking for a Farm Manager / Principal Farm Manager EMEA South.
Farm Manager (70%)
As Site Manager, lead a team of crop, agronomy, farm maintenance professionals, and coordinators. During the execution of this job you take care of the following tasks and responsibilities;
- Effectively manage resources for both company-owned and leased research farms (R&D;) and enforce company hygiene standards
- Oversee all site operations, ensuring compliance with external, governmental, or regional laws to guarantee the company's "license to operate"
- Implement and monitor "responsible care" measures and EHSQ audits
- Observe the "Code of Conduct" for all site functions, identify and report deviations and potential compliance cases
- Keep the Site Manual updated and update changes through the Management of Change
- Working in cooperation with legal and procurement to negotiate and manage contracts with third party providers (labour, leasing, growing contracts etc.)
Principal Farm Manager (30%)
- Report to the Regional Head South EMEA
- Lead and coordinate all EMEA South farms for CAPEX, OPEX, and long-term plans
- Lead farm managers in EMEA South ensuring development of managerial and technical skills
- Drive innovation and maintain a strong relationship with internal stakeholders.
- Continuously discuss and/or visit key customers to acquire input from them and ensure delivery according to stakeholders' needs
- Propose necessary resources (facilities and equipment) to meet business needs (short, medium, and long term)
- Coordinate agronomic management of crops with the team to achieve departmental objectives
- Lead the Farm Team, foster a service and customer-oriented mindset, communicate the R&D; department's vision to all FARM employees, highlighting how their work contributes to business success
Professional Development (HR)
- Responsible for timely and high-quality execution of all HR processes and continuous professional development for all staff, ensuring succession in key positions
- Guide and manage the Farm Manager and Murcia's FARM team, including evaluations, training, development, and career planning, using HR instruments, guidelines, and procedures to select and retain competent employees and ensure service quality
- Manage processes related to hiring permanent, external, and temporary staff, in coordination with HRBP and Procurement
Budget planning & execution
- Align site infrastructure investments with relevant current and future needs and manage the OPEX budget, proactively discussing issues and deviations with management
- Support Farm users (Breeders, Scientists, others) in farm cost budgeting for proper annual planning
- Acquire agricultural equipment according to Procurement policy
- Advise the Head of R&D; EMEA South on long-term CAPEX planning sites and support budgeting for greenhouses, construction, and agricultural equipment
- Execute CAPEX projects in greenhouses and farm buildings at the site
Continuous Improvement
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement in Farm services, exploring reference technologies and equipment (including digitalization), and proactively proposing or implementing their use
- Challenge the status quo of current work methods and establish KPIs for efficiency
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new technologies for growth chambers, greenhouses, tunnels, and open fields in collaboration with technical department stakeholders and in response to changing customer needs and best industry practices
QEHS Management
- Comply with the Responsible Care Management System (RCMS) EHS Handbook for LRS ("Small Site Handbook") and implement measures and processes identified in the RCA and updates from the EHSQ Responsible for APV Spain
- Inform the responsible manager if health, safety, or security cannot be guaranteed on site, and do not carry out activities without EHSQ approval and report incidents to the Country Head and QEHS responsible asap
- Collaborate in investigations and inform employees and other parties about accident and incident causes according to current procedures
- Encourage staff to be proactive about occupational safety and environmental protection. Supervise and ensure staff supervise the behaviour of both internal and external personnel
- Member of the crisis committee if the site is affected
Maintenance & Services
- Responsible for proper use and functioning of technical assets on site
- Implement process (operational and organizational) and product innovations on the farm
- Organize and coordinate technical services and Engineering & Maintenance on site
- Coordinate services and maintenance related to facilities, procedures, and processes, aiming for uninterrupted and smooth production and activities
- Local coordinator and first point of contact for the Site. The Farm/Site Manager coordinates between functions on site, harmonizing interests
- Promote efficient energy consumption and collaborate in identifying improvement projects and energy-saving opportunities
- Observe all sustainability measures on the farm
Your Profile
- University degree (BSc) with at least 10 years of experience in agronomy and Farm Management
- or Master's (MSc) with at least 8 years of experience in agronomy and Farm Management
- Fluent level of English additional knowledge of local language, customer focus, solving problems & good interpersonal skills
Competences
- Result oriented and focus on practical solutions
- Foster a supportive environment and spirit, challenge, develop, motivate, and inspire. Lead by example, empower people, and manage risk and provide clarity
- An innovation and continuous improvement mindset
- Adapt communication style to employees that are highly diverse in education ranging from low educated farm operational employees to highly educated scientists, breeders, etc.
Interested in this job?
Are you the Farm Manager EMEA South we are looking for who is able to focus on delivering value-added solutions that drive performance and innovation? Do you have management qualities to lead the farm teams and communicate with a diverse group of stakeholders? Around 10% travel is required for this position.
If you answer this with 'Yes', then we invite you to apply for this position. Send us your resume (CV) and motivation letter by clicking the 'Apply' button, before February 16th, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michiel Weijters, Senior Integral Talent Acquisition Specialist via