Director Open Innovation

We at Yara are part of a global network, collaborating to profitably and responsibly solve some of the world's key challenges - resource scarcity, food insecurity and environmental change.

About the Unit

The Open Innovation China Hub connects Yara with China’s leading science, agriculture, biotechnology, digital and green-technology ecosystems. It identifies and develops external innovations and partnerships that can contribute to sustainable agriculture, new technologies and Yara’s regional and global growth priorities. The position is based in Beijing, China and reports to SVP Innovation and Impact.

Open Innovation China Hub致力于连接 Yara 与中国领先的科学、农业、生物技术、数字技术及绿色科技创新生态。该中心将积极发现和推动外部创新机会及合作伙伴关系，为可持续农业、新技术发展以及 Yara 在区域和全球层面的增长重点提供支持。

该职位工作地点为中国北京，向SVP Innovation and Impact汇报。

Responsibilities

Define and execute the China Open Innovation strategy in alignment with Yara’s business growth, sustainability and research priorities
Build and manage a focused portfolio of innovation opportunities across crop nutrition, biologicals, agronomy, biotechnology, digital agriculture and green technologies
Identify, assess and engage universities, research institutes, start-ups, technology companies, investors and public innovation bodies across China
Establish and govern strategic research, co-development, demonstration and ecosystem partnerships with clear objectives, milestones and decision criteria
Lead scientific and commercial evaluation, including technology due diligence, proof-of-concept governance, business-case development and scale-up recommendations
Integrate China-based opportunities into Yara’s regional and global innovation portfolio through collaboration with research, commercial, digital, legal, regulatory and sustainability teams
Lead the China Hub team, resources, budget and performance while representing Yara as a trusted innovation partner in China

制定并执行中国开放创新战略，确保与 Yara 的业务增长、可持续发展及科研重点保持一致。
建立并管理重点创新机会组合，涵盖作物营养、生物制剂、农艺、生物技术、数字农业及绿色技术等领域。
识别、评估并对接中国的创新生态合作伙伴，包括高校、科研院所、初创企业、科技公司、投资机构及公共创新机构等。
建立并管理战略合作伙伴关系，包括科研合作、联合开发、示范项目及创新生态合作，并确定合作目标、关键阶段目标和决策标准。
牵头开展科学及商业评估，包括技术尽职调查、概念验证管理、商业案例开发以及规模化应用建议。
推动中国的创新机会融入 Yara 区域及全球创新组合，与科研、商业、数字化、法务、法规及可持续发展等团队开展跨职能协作。
领导中国开放创新中心团队，负责团队、资源、预算及绩效管理，同时代表 Yara 在中国建立并巩固值得信赖的创新合作伙伴形象。

Profile

Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, biotechnology, biological sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering or a related discipline; a PhD or equivalent research depth is preferred
Typically, 12 or more years of relevant experience in industrial research, applied science, technology innovation or partnership and venture development
Demonstrated experience in advancing technologies from research or proof of concept through validation, demonstration, scale-up and value creation
Strong knowledge of agriculture and crop nutrition, with expertise in biologicals, biotechnology, agronomy, fertilizer technology, digital agriculture or related technologies
Proven understanding of China’s innovation ecosystem and experience building relationships with scientific, commercial, institutional and government-related stakeholders
Strategic and entrepreneurial leadership capabilities, with the ability to combine scientific rigor, commercial judgement and effective cross-functional influence
Fluent Mandarin Chinese and English, with the ability to travel regularly within China and internationally

农业科学、生物技术、生物科学、化学、化学工程或相关专业硕士学位；拥有博士学位或具备同等资历的科研背景者优先。
具备 12 年及以上相关工作经验，包括工业研发、应用科学、技术创新、合作伙伴关系或创新项目发展等领域的经验。
具备推动技术从研发或概念验证阶段走向实际应用的成功经验，包括技术验证、示范、规模化以及价值创造等阶段。
深入了解农业及作物营养领域，并在生物制剂、生物技术、农艺、肥料技术、数字农业或相关技术领域具备专业知识或实践经验。
深入了解中国创新生态体系，并具有与科研机构、商业伙伴、相关机构及政府相关方建立和发展合作关系的实际经验。
具备战略思维及创业型领导力，能够将严谨的科学判断、商业判断力与有效的跨职能影响力相结合。
中英文流利，能够适应在中国境内及国际范围内的经常性出差。

Additional Information

Regular travel within China and periodic international travel are required.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual who can connect science, technology, business and partnerships while building a high-trust innovation network in China.

该职位需要经常在中国境内出差，并根据工作需要进行国际出差。

这是一个高级领导岗位，适合能够有效连接科学、技术、商业与合作伙伴资源，并在中国建立高度互信创新合作网络的人才。

Contact details

Marisa Soares - SVP Innovation and Impact

Timon Rösner - Senior Manager People

Apply no later than

November 2nd 2026

Knowledge grows through differences
Yara is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing to do. To deliver on this, Yara has firmly anchored Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) in our business strategy and has more than 400 employees worldwide involved in D&I ambassadors networks.

As part of our recruitment process, where permitted by local law, we may conduct reference and background checks. These checks will only be performed when deemed necessary for the nature of the job. Candidates will be informed by HR before any background checks are initiated.