R&D Lead - SEEDS

. About Respective Business Unit

Our Seed Business provides superior quality seeds through our own indigenous R&D program in Hyderabad. The focus of R &D Program is development of unique germplasm for traits of importance and novelty, development and testing commercially competent products for the farmers and dedicated R &D team has enabled us to launch premium products in Rice, Corn and Pearl millet. We also boast of a rich portfolio of vegetable seeds such as Hot Pepper, Okra, Melons, Tomatoes and others. Strong supply chain with Mahindra quality standards has been effective differentiator. Our strong rural brand presence enables us to propagate our products much faster into the market through our sales & marketing team & channel partners in India & Nepal.

Location

Hyderabad, India

Reporting To, Team Structure & Team Size

Reporting to – Head of R&D

Team Size -

8. Role Purpose

TThis  role will provide strategic, scientific, and business leadership to Mahindra’s seeds research and development organisation. The role is responsible for defining and executing an innovation-led R&D agenda that accelerates genetic gain, shortens time-to-market, and delivers commercially successful seed products. With strong exposure to global R&D practices, the incumbent will balance scientific excellence with business impact while building a future-ready, high-performing R&D organisation.

9. Key Responsibilities

- Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute long-term R&D strategy and innovation roadmap aligned with business growth priorities.
• Build and manage a balanced product pipeline across corn, vegetables, and rice, covering hybrids, traits, and varietal development.
• Drive global benchmarking and adoption of advanced breeding, molecular, and digital research tools.

- Technical & Functional Ownership

• Provide end-to-end leadership of breeding programs including germplasm development, product design, multi-location trials, and commercialization readiness.
• Enable implementation of advanced breeding technologies such as marker-assisted selection, molecular breeding, and data-driven decision systems.
• Establish robust stage-gate governance, scientific rigor, and performance metrics across R&D programs.

- Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, and Product Management teams to align R&D priorities with market needs and portfolio strategy.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Production, and Quality teams to ensure smooth handover from research to scale-up and commercialization.
• Work closely with Regulatory, Legal, and IP teams to ensure compliance, protection, and monetization of intellectual property.

- Stakeholder Management

• Build and sustain collaborations with global research institutions, technology partners, and academic bodies.
• Engage with regulators and government agencies on trials, varietal approvals, and compliance requirements.
• Act as a key interface with Mahindra Group leadership on R&D investments, risks, and outcomes.

- Program Delivery
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10. Required Experience & Expertise

• 18–25 years of experience in seed research and development, with strong expertise in corn and vegetable crops; exposure to rice preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in senior R&D leadership roles managing large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Deep understanding of plant breeding, biotechnology interfaces, trial systems, and IP management.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to link R&D investments to commercial outcomes.
• Significant global exposure; experience working with or leading international R&D teams strongly preferred.

11. Education

PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Biotechnology, Horticulture, or a closely related discipline.

12. Why Choose to Return to India and Build Your Career with Mahindra & Mahindra?

• Opportunity to shape a science-led, future-ready seeds portfolio at national scale.
• Platform to apply global R&D expertise to crops critical for food security and farmer prosperity.
• Strong governance, long-term orientation, and values-driven leadership culture.
• Ability to influence strategy, mentor scientific talent, and create lasting agricultural impact.