R&D Project Coordinator

Permanent contract / Full-time

Sakata Seed Iberica is a subsidiary of Sakata Vegetables Europe (France) and is responsible for the development and expansion of the activities across the EMEA area. With our wide array of vegetable seeds, we want to create a confidence-based relationship with our customers, working to our age-old motto of Quality, Reliability and Service.

What will you do?

The purpose of this role is to support R&D collaborative projects, intellectual property proceedings, and tax‑deductible initiatives that contribute to Sakata EMEA’s strategic research goals. The position supports the identification of external collaboration opportunities, and maintenance of good relations between Sakata and its partners. The position also supports intellectual property (IP) preparation, including evaluation of projects for potential IP development, documentation and filing, procedural compliance, and outcome evaluation in collaboration with the Sakata Legal Department.

Additionally, the role supports the company’s eligibility for national funding programs and tax‑incentive schemes by preparing technical reports, managing certification processes, and ensuring full adherence to legal and procedural obligations.

This includes a supportive function to :

• Identify collaborative Opportunities : Establish contact with private and public institutions in the sector to expand research possibilities.
• Assist in the drafting and designing collaborative projects : Develop and design projects in collaboration with partner institutions under the guidance of the Head of Research Laboratories for EMEA .
• Submit funding applications : Manage the submission of applications to state funding programs.
• Coordination and monitoring of approved Projects
• Management of Requirements: Attend to and manage the Ministry Notifications derived from any of the procedures.
• Projects for Tax Deduction of R&D Activities:
• Submission of Applications to Tax Incentive Programs: Manage the submission of applications to tax incentive programs.
• Preparation of Technical Reports: Draft the technical reports of the projects.
• Coordination with research teams to obtain information in technical reports for tax deductions
• Certification Process Management: Coordinate the process to obtain the Binding Motivated Report, necessary for the application of tax deductions in the company's annual Corporate Tax.
• Comprehensive Documentation Management: Ensure compliance with established deadlines and manage all associated documentation.
• Intellectual Property: Evaluation of IP opportunities, oversight and coordination of IP preparation and filing, and organization and communication of arbitrations and negotiations in collaboration with the Sakata EMEA Legal Department.

Where will you work?

You will join to a multi-disciplinary group, based in Almeria Spain or South Africa and will work in close collaboration with EMEA R&D, Legal, and Finance teams. You will report to the Head of the research laboratories for EMEA.

Do you fit this profile?

You are fluent in English and Spanish (verbal and writing, formal and

scientific) and have:

• An M.Sc specializing Genetics /plant breeding.
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Solid analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations
• High attention to detail and strong problem-solving mindset

Want to know more about the company?

You will be part of the Sakata Vegetables EMEA team, part of the international Sakata Group. What makes

Sakata different is that while being a key international player in the seed business, the company keeps a family

spirit. This means 3 things:

• it’s a people-oriented company where it is easy to communicate at all levels
• you will work closely with your colleagues and customers and will never be far from the fields
• as a result of its Japanese origins, you'll be working for a stable company with an emphasis on long-term.

What are the next steps?

1. Apply on our website before 23/11/2026,
2. You will have a first contact with a member of the EMEA HR team
3. You will then meet with Vicente (Finance) and Schalk (your future manager)
4. A final interview will be held with Laura Ann (Deputy Research Director) and Francisco (Managing Director)