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Examples of international career paths

Lise Debowski, Processing, Commercial and Budgetary Cost Controlle / Jacquet-Brossard - Saint-Michel-sur-Orge (France)
My first position as a Cost Controller was on an international volunteer program for Limagrain Italia, to achieve my ambition of working abroad. This work experience in a human size structure was particularly enjoyable because of the diversity of the missions. And these two years in Italy were extremely rich from both a technical and human point of view. I was part of a team of professionals passionately involved in their work, and this helped me to develop my skills. After my volunteer program, I came back to France to join Jacquet as Commercial and Budgetary Cost Controller. This new experience was just as enriching and motivating because of the size of the company and the broadening of its scope with the recent integration of Brossard. Working for Limagrain has given me the opportunity to gain experience in different companies: from distributing field seeds to the production and distribution of bakery products: this just goes to show how rich the Group is.

Sander Vrolijk, Chef de projet / Hazera Genetics – Nickerson-Zwaan - Made (Netherlands)
I started working for Hazera Genetics – Nickerson-Zwaan in February 2010 as Processing, Facility and Purchasing Manager. I am responsible for the processing warehouse where all activities of seed treatment take place, and in charge of the facility management in Made. I also purchase all the products related to the activities of the Processing Warehouse and partly for office supplies. These different experiences in my job extend my knowledge regarding the business of seed technology, the creation and life-cycle of seeds and all aspects of the vegetable seeds business. Since I first joined the company I have always been amazed at how magnificent this business is. My goals and my challenges have made me grow both professionally and personally. Recently I participated in the Groupe Limagrain Induction Program. I was very pleased to participate and realized afterwards how much bigger the Group is than I imagined. It was very good to learn more about the fundamentals of Limagrain, to feel and experience the vision and missions, and also the goals and the values of our company. It made me realize that all the employees in the company, including myself, are “Sowers of the world”. And I am proud to be one of them!

Assel Tapenova, Project Manager Limagrain Europe - Astana (Kazakhstan)
After my studies in Kazakhstan where I come from, Limagrain gave me the opportunity to follow training concerned with the agri-food sector and agricultural development between Romania and France. This was an opportunity for me to add a dimension of international experience to my career and not only discover this sector that is so specific, but also other cultures and a new language: French. After spending three years in Romania, I arrived in France to do my nine-month internship with the Manager of the Nickerson brand in Limagrain Europe. At the end of my internship, Limagrain Russia offered me the job of Logistics Manager.
After spending a year in Russia, and following the opening of the Limagrain office in Kazakhstan, in November 2010 I returned to my country of origin. Kazakh distributors need help and logistic support: and this is exactly what I give them. They know and understand local players. As project manager I can count on their support in turn to open this office. Limagrain has an excellent reputation, and the Group is offering me a real challenge. And now I have to rise to it!

Fabien Duffaut, Manager Vilmorin Iberica - Alicante (Spain)
After graduating as an agricultural engineer, I was recruited on an international business program for Clause-Tézier at Harris Moran in Modesto, California (United States). Then, Vilmorin Inc. took me on as a Development Assistant. After five years going back and forth between the USA and Mexico, I returned to Europe, and more precisely to Spain. I started work in 2005 at Vilmorin Iberica as Development Manager and became Manager after 5 years. On a day-to-day basis I need to provide solutions to commercial, human resource, research and financial problems. It's a question of balancing all the components of the company… without losing sight of our objectives! At Limagrain, there is no pre-established path forward. With the Group, I have
moved from company to company. I have discovered different cultures, languages, markets, product lines, working systems, communication methods and organizat -ions. By listening to others, adapting and anticipating, I have fully benefitted from all these experiences in my new function, and they have undoubtedly helped when making decisions..

Daniel Chéron,
CEO of Groupe Limagrain
In 1976, 30 years ago, when I began working at Limagrain, I never imagined that one day I would become CEO of the Group. This evolution was achieved gradually and through my mobility. After a post as Treasurer in Lyon I became Financial Director, then Sales Manager and Deputy CEO of Vilmorin in Angers. In 1988, twelve years after my arrival, I opted for an experience abroad in Darmstadt in Germany to become General Manager of Nungesser. At that time I didn't speak a word of German! I stayed there for five years. When I came back to France, I was put in charge of the Agro-Industry Division at the head offices in Chappes, and then I was appointed to the position of Deputy CEO of Groupe Limagrain. Finally, since 2007, I have been the Group's CEO. Time passes very quickly at Limagrain and wherever I go in the world, I meet men and women with a passion for their work.

Thomas Philippe, Manager/ Semillas Limagrain de Chile – San Francisco de Mostazal (Chile)
After my studies at the engineering school in Angers, I did my overseas voluntary service in Agadir in Morocco in 1998, as international coordinator for Clause. My mission was to develop and launch new varieties for importers. When I returned to Clause headquarters in 2000, I became procurement manager. In 2002, Clause merged with Tézier. I was appointed Project Manager to merge the two existing basic seeds departments. In 2005, Groupe Limagrain offered me the opportunity of integrating the Ag-Production Division.
I left for Chile, as Manager of the vegetable seeds department in the company Semillas Limagrain de Chile. Four years later, I was promoted to Director.

Mirella Colleoni, Development Manager Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients / Westhove – Arques (France)
I am Romanian and I studied to be a food engineer. After my PhD, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iowa in the United States. I am in charge of product development at LCI and I strongly believe that training is essential. In 2007, I went to the University of Texas in the United States to follow a course on Tex Mex products. I have just begun a two-year training course at the Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (Institute of Business Administration). My manager and the Human Resources Department have agreed to flexible working hours to enable me to pursue my career. At the end of this training period, I will write a dissertation on a transversal project given to me by LCI, which will enable me to apply my newly acquired knowledge.