Job Description
KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants' resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.Start at KWS - Growing into the Future
Together we address the growing global food demand.
We offer an exciting entry opportunity for ambitious graduates and outstanding talents. Our vision is to grow a high potential talent pool for exciting career opportunities at KWS. You have recently graduated from a Master's degree in agricultural economics or agricultural studies or have a Master's degree with a multidisciplinary business management focus. Interested in corporate strategy and leadership topics? Curious about the agricultural business? We offer a 2-year program followed by the prospect of full-time employment. You can be the future of KWS.
Population growth, climate change and shrinking per-capita acreage.
Join in and solve these challenges with us. KWS spends a large portion of its revenue on research. Cutting-edge technology such as drones, robotics and new breeding technologies increase our efficiency. “Smart or Digital farming” enables tailored cultivation of the field based on data analysis and digitally controlled machines. The future of agriculture is already here. Come and be a part of it.
What should you expect during the 2-year program?
Stretch Rotations
You will join dynamic teams to tackle 4 exciting and diverse projects throughout the 2 years. You get to pick your own projects from the project pool because we would like you to align your projects with your career interests. You will further your strategic thinking and influencing skills and have the sole responsibility of planning, overseeing and executing your projects in a timely fashion. Having the chance to participate in diverse projects will allow you to get to know different aspects of KWS and further your understanding on how the business operates. We would like one of your projects to be an international project and we would like you to be based in a different country office if the conditions allow.
Mentors
You will be matched with an experienced KWS employee who will act as your personal mentor and will support your personal and professional growth.
Training & Development
You will join an extensive onboarding training where you will learn about how to think strategically, display leadership qualities, manage a project and communicate effectively. During the initial onboarding you will tour the KWS headquarters, renowned R&D center, the state-of-the-art breeding stations and have a frontline experience by taking part in field work. You will also take part in Franklin Covey's coveted training “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. This important training will lay strong foundations in your life journey and support you in adapting to change and taking full advantage of opportunities coming your way. To ensure your continuous learning throughout the program, you will have the chance to attend additional program-sponsored trainings on a periodic basis. Lastly, you will receive an individual training budget and you will be free to spend it on trainings internal or external.
KWS Graduate Community
Every 6 months during project intervals, you will get together with your fellow graduates and spend time sharing trainings, best-practices, meeting KWS leaders, engaging in alumni events and social responsibility projects.
Why are you a good fit for our Growing into the Future Program?
- You hold a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics or in a field related to Agricultural Sciences and support the degree with an interest in business/leadership topics. Alternatively, you hold a Master's degree with interdisciplinary business focus (e.g: Management, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing or a relevant field) and support it with a demonstrable background or experience in agriculture.
- You should have graduated (including thesis submission) and be ready for full-time employment by October 1st, 2025, and be available for assessments during January-May 2025.
- You have no or minimal full-time job experience.
- You are keen on joining a career in the agricultural industry and you are passionate about business/leadership topics.
- You have demonstrated entrepreneurial thinking in the past and you possess a strong sense of initiative that drives you to innovate.
- You spent some time overseas doing study abroad, work abroad, internships, work & travel.
- You have engaged in extracurricular activities such as taking part in a political or non-profit organization, active membership with a student club, leadership experience in a university/community/work setting and/or engagement in a project.
- You possess strong intercultural skills. We are present in 70 countries around the globe, so working in multicultural teams and diverse environments is a key to your success.
- We are a global company, being fluent in English is mandatory; any additional languages would be an asset.
This is what you can look forward to:
- 30 days of holidays.
- Attractive remuneration package additional payment for holidays and Christmas.
- Flexible working hours with home office possibilities.
- As a family-owned company we are guided by the values of team spirit, proximity and trust, independence, and vision; this culture is lived in practice creating a friendly working atmosphere from day one.
- Discounts from various companies.
- Flat hierarchy with open communication.
- Make yourself grow – we offer additional trainings, classes and courses with an individual training budget.
- Excellent work equipment (e.g. mobile phone, ergonomic workstations etc.), a fully-fledged, subsidized canteen and sufficient free parking spaces in Einbeck/Wohlde.
- Relocation and visa support.
Please note: Only applications submitted in English and via our career portal will be considered.View More