**At Bayer we're visionaries, driven to solve the world's toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none' is no longer a dream, but a real possibility.

We're doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible'.

There are so many reasons to join us.

If you're hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there's only one choice.**
**Cotton Germplasm Unit Lead**
As Head of Cotton Germplasm, you are part of the Product Design Capability Center and lead a cohesive unit focused on providing improved germplasm, driven by customer needs, to all regional pipelines; You constantly innovate and enhance the early pipeline germplasm engine, ensuring that cotton germplasm is advanced to meet evolving market, sustainability, and customer demands; Your unit brings together colleagues from Product Design, Product Development, ARI, DSE, Seed Production, Product Supply, Market Development, and other key functions, with a strong focus on germplasm improvement, customer needs, genomic selection, advanced analytics, and advanced breeding methods; In this role, you help shape the future of cotton portfolios and create significant value across global commercial markets.

The incumbent for this position may be based in the United States (US) or Canada.

Bayer Talent Acquisition is accepting applications for these locations under one global job posting which follows each country's individual employment laws.

As such, applicants should expect to experience differences in the application process which are unique from a single country posting.
**YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
The primary responsibilities of this role, Head of Cotton Germplasm, are to: Deliver improved cotton germplasm to all product pipelines, ensuring alignment with customer needs and long-term portfolio strategy;
Develop and implement technology and design strategies that accelerate and enhance cotton germplasm improvement, ensuring breeding targets and resource needs are met and aligned with the needs of the global business;
Work with leaders of similar units to strategically set a vision for the unit and orchestrate teams to identify priorities, allocate resources, and execute against that vision;
Establish decision-making and accountability parameters, ensuring teams within the unit regularly evaluate progress, set time-bound targets, and adjust plans based on data-driven insights;
Work closely with other unit and capability hub leaders to understand talent needs and availability, maintaining a constant focus on strengthening and developing the unit's talent base;




Demonstrate and embrace VACC leadership attributes within the unit and with peers and colleagues across Bayer Crop Science, acting as a visible role model for inclusive, courageous, and collaborative leadership;
Strategically drive a focus on Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), Compliance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Business Conduct, and Human Rights across the unit, serving as a catalyst for a culture that emphasizes ethical practices, compliance, and environmental responsibility;
Collaborate strategically with peers across Bayer Crop Science to enhance technical strategies for cotton, corn, and other crops, ensuring cross-crop learning and technology leverage;
Lead and support approximately 15 FTEs and 4–6 product teams within the unit, ensuring clarity of objectives, strong engagement, and high-performance ways of working;
Build and sustain tight linkages and partnerships with HR, other breeding enabling functions, all breeding regions, and external experts in the field to ensure access to cutting-edge capabilities and diverse perspectives;
Partner closely with Crop Strategy teams, OISP, DFS, Product Management, Supply Chain, and Product Development pipelines across all regions to drive germplasm and technology value creation across global commercial portfolios;
Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall success of the Product Design Capability Center and the broader Crop Science strategy.
**WHO YOU ARE**
Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:
**Required Qualifications:**
PhD degree in Plant or Animal Breeding, Quantitative or Statistical Genetics, Data Science, or related fields with 8+ years of technology leadership experience, or MS degree with 10+ years of technology leadership experience;
At least 5 years of experience leading teams, with demonstrated leadership effectiveness in driving technical strategy, innovation, and people development;
Minimum of 3 years of experience in breeding, preferably in cotton or related crops;
Strong knowledge of advanced breeding technologies, advanced analytics and information technologies, genomics, and/or quantitative genetics, with a proven track record of driving innovation into applied pipelines;
Strong ability to collaborate and build cross-functional partnerships to solve complex business and technical problems across regions and functions;
Demonstrated ability to embrace and role-model VACC leadership attributes, strategically fostering a collaborative,



high-performing culture within the unit and across Bayer Crop Science
**Listed below are aspects of the application process which may be present to maintain job posting compliance in the multiple countries which this position is posted.**
**Canada** :The base salary range for this role is between $164,800 and $247,200.

Additional compensation may include a bonus or incentive compensation.

Extra benefits may include insured benefits such as health care, vision, dental, disability, and contributory retirement savings plans, etc.

This salary range is an estimate and may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, market data and the applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, job-related knowledge, specific degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

This role is posted for a vacant position.
**United States** :In the US, employees can expect to be paid a salary between $183,900 - $275,900.

This range reflects the national US market rate (“salary range”) for base pay for the relevant role.

Additional compensation may include a bonus or incentive compensation (if relevant).

This posting will be available for application until at least October 9, 2026.

Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.

This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant's location, market data/ranges, an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.
**YOUR APPLICATION**
Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs.

If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, we encourage you to apply now.

Be part of something bigger.

Be you.

Be Bayer.

To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans
Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Notice for U.S.

Visitors: All information on this site is subject to compliance with local rule and regulations as they may vary from time to time and across different geographies, including, without limitation, U.S.

Executive Orders.

Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.
**Location:** Canada: Manitoba : Winnipeg || Canada: Alberta : Calgary || Canada: Ontario : Guelph || Canada: Ontario : Mississauga || United States: Missouri : Chesterfield
**Division:** Crop Science
**Reference Code:** 889815
**Contact Us**
**Email:** [email protected]

📌 Cotton Germplasm Unit Lead (Guelph)
🏢 Bayer
📍 Guelph