Competitive and Technology Intelligence Manager

Through leading innovations, we help farmers around the world meet the challenge of feeding a growing population and taking care of our planet. We are currently seeking a  Competitor and Technology Intelligence Manager in Durham, NC at our Research Triangle Park Innovation Center.

Role Purpose

• Enable the seeds research programs and domains understand competitive intelligence as it pertains to technologies and traits being developed within Seeds Research.
• Maintain and own the competitive intelligence processes, tools and data sets that enable seeds research programs to analyse competitor activity and understand implications to program goals.
• Collaborate with Business Intelligence Managers (Global and regional) to acquire and assemble market research analysis that provides aligned insights to inform Global Seeds strategies and portfolios.
• Partners with IT to develop repository for data storage, dissemination of market analyses and competitive business intelligence.
• Member of the Seeds R&D Partnerships and External Innovation management team.

Accountabilities

• The Competitive and Technology Intelligence manager is a member of the Seeds R&D Partnerships and External Innovation Management team, with the responsibility to establish the functional capability for competitive and technology intelligence within Seeds Research.
• Competitor and Technology Intelligence will cover trait and technology innovations of our key competitors and relevant start-ups, technology trends within agriculture/plant science as well as adjacent industries that represent opportunities or disruptors.
• In particular, the Competitor and Technology Intelligence manager will be responsible for maintaining networks of expertise and data sets on competitor activity and own and lead the process for teams within seeds research to analyse and develop insight from competitor activity.
• Specific responsibilities include:
• Interacting with the domain and science leaders to identify knowledge gaps and fill them appropriately
• Managing partnerships with IP operations, business intelligence and seeds business intelligence managers to ensure a key network of capability.
• Manage/develop IT tools and data sets to enable teams to analyse our progress versus competitors and gain insight.
• Bring insight from adjacent industries where technology innovations are an opportunity/disruption to seeds R&D.
• Strategic sourcing of industry and competitor crop information, including analysis of current and future markets, geographical and political structures impacting seeds and traits interests.
• Analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of current market research findings.
• Development and management of tools, including coordination with commercial market and competitive intelligence roles.
• In collaboration with IT, create and maintain infrastructure house and easily access all competitive and market research information.
• Provides input to Programs and Domain teams to complete market opportunity analysis and build / evaluate business cases.

• Broad seeds research and development knowledge.
• Latest concepts in competitive and strategic analysis.
• An understanding of various functions such as research, development, regulatory, intellectual property as well as internal business processes, is critical.

Critical Experience

• 10+ years experience in R&D roles
• Undergraduate degree, PhD is a preferred
• Experience in outside-in analysis of science, IP, pipelines and industrial players
• Stakeholder engagement across all management levels in the organization
• Ability to collaborate in complex regions across different countries, businesses and cultures

Critical Technical, Professional and Personal Capabilities

• Leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills. 
• Oral and written communications skills, as well as organization skills and the ability to manage projects within a matrix organizational structure. 
• Multi-task management skills will be required.

Critical leadership capabilities

• Communicates with impact
• Leads change and holds ambiguity
• Manages for performance
• Develops people, organization & self
• Collaborates across boundaries

Critical Success Factors & Key Challenges

• Strategic planning and direction
• Key stakeholder relationship building
• Have understanding of Syngenta products and internal Syngenta systems.
• Ability to influence others with strategic vision and confidence

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Open Vacation Policy with a minimum of 15 days of vacation and up to 30 days with manager approval, 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.