Field Production Lead - India

Company Description

Syngenta Seeds works hand-in-hand with farmers, retailers and seed dealers, plant raisers, licensing partners, value chain stakeholders, processors, and consumers around the world. We provide the highest-quality seeds, seedlings, and plants alongside technologies and digital services to farmers. We are a global innovation powerhouse with local, passionate, expert teams collaborating with farmers in every corner of the world to deliver solutions and create market opportunities.

Job Description

Role Purpose

• Lead SSV vegetable seeds production in assigned country/region
• Create/maintain grower network to successfully build Vegetable Seed production capabilities in the assigned country/region.
• Continually improve production network by developing innovative ways to produce seeds with Growers and vendors to meet Syngenta’s needs
• Identify and develop new areas and growers/vendors to secure long term production
• Contribute to Regional Veg production strategy to deliver sustainable long term business objectives
• Working closely with GSPS, Pathologists, Direct procurement, Plant Operations, Quality, Breeders and MoMs
• Be a part of the Country Veg Seeds Production Leadership Team
• Advance, professionalize and standardize the ways of working across SSV crops.
• Implement the production Models and develop new ways of working collaborativel with global supply and procurement
• Planning and delivery of given Seed Production
• Organize and scale up male flower and pollen supply and post-harvest operations initiatives to strengthen reliable supply and IP security of varieties in scope
• Organize and execute production and supply of healthy young plants to all India production orders with full proof IP security systems in place
• Secure and reliable production of NPI products in scope and provide desirable technical data to product advancement and marketing teams
• Recruit, train and develop full-time and non-full-time employees to deliver the targets
• Ensure compliance with internal control standards in all activities
• Hold accountability for the delivery of the budgeted savings and for putting savings pipeline in place

Accountabilities

• Develop production strategies for each crop and location in the assigned area to meet production reliabilities, quality and timeliness.
• Identify gaps between current ways of working and the production strategy. Implement a correction plan to address the gaps in coordination with stakeholders
• Field Visits: Regular production field visits and partnering with field production staff to ensure trial data are calibrated and relevant to business, as well as visits with sales staff and customers to understand customer needs.
• Communication: Develop and maintain communication with various functions within Syngenta, such as Research and Development, GCPS, Supply Planning, Operations, MOM, Parent Seeds, Quality Control, and Marketing and Sales. This includes other relevant sectors in the seed industry and universities.
• Data Analysis: Analyze data and prepare reports/presentations for delivery to internal and external department customers.
• Competitive Awareness: Maintain an awareness of competitive developments and key technologies in the seed production and adjacent industries, along with external technology institutions to ensure that innovations are identified, evaluated, and implemented.
• Health Safety & Environment (HSE): Ensure full Health Safety & Environment (HSE) compliance and promote environmentally sustainable solutions.
• Personal Development: Attend Company sanctioned and/or external training seminars, as agreed upon with Supervisor, for development of personal and technical skills.
• Syngenta Representation: Build trust inside the company and in the local community, showing ethical considerations and Syngenta values are reflected in company activities.
• Production Instructions: Development of production instruction and product profile for crops grown in the region.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Experience, Capabilities

Critical Knowledge

• Masters degree in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, or related agricultural or biological discipline; or Bachelors with significant relevant 5 years of experience.
• Seeds production knowledge across a range of crops desired.
• Knowledge of budgeting and standard cost
• Good understanding of seed quality and factors that affect quality
• Good command in English

Critical Experience

• Experience in Seeds Production
• Experience in managing teams and third-party suppliers
• Organization; planning, pro-activity and reactivity leadership, flexibility and availability.
• Communication; impactful, open-minded, with an aptitude to develop easy contacts with all stakeholders.
• Cross functional and multi-cultural project management aptitude.
• Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities
• Ability to motivate and share knowledge and expertise with others.
• Ability to analyze complex and diverse problem situations creatively leading to the generation and implementation of effective solutions.
• Ability to drive project execution through others and in areas of technology outside core competence.
• Able to maintain and extend structured networks within region and between regions.
• Must have energy drive and persistence.
• Must possess advanced capability in influencing and negotiation
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to understand financial implications of production strategies and contract designs
• Ability to establish relationships with business team members, regional teams, procurement, and suppliers

Critical Leadership Capabilities

• Must have capabilities in setting ambitious strategic goals
• Must have ability to communicate with impact
• Must have the ability to build a culture of innovation
• Must have proficient skills to develop people, organization and self
• Must have ability to collaborate across boundaries working well with people who differ in race, gender, culture or age

Additional Information

• Ability to work during week days, and eventually evenings and weekends during peak season periods.
• Periods of intense work at critical times of the year (e.g. pollination, harvesting)
• Ability to walk or stand in fields for extended period of time
• Must be able to travel by car or plane
• 60% of work performed in field locations or meetings
• 40% of work performed in standard office
• International travel likely; must have a current passport.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Domestic travel required