Discovery Breeding Head LATAM

Role purpose
Search and implement new technologies and innovative breeding methods that would be applied across all stages of our Germplasm Development process and aiming to increase genetic gain and improve the efficiency of all breeding programs.

Accountabilities

•    Create value for Syngenta through innovation and the introduction of new technologies to improve all breeding efforts while ensuring freedom to operate. 
•    Identify and implement new ways/methods to enhance the performances of Corn and Soybean  breeding pipelines, involving but not limited to high throughput phenomics, controlled environment agriculture, life cycle shortening, new data generation, new breeding methods and any other relevant  breeding technologies which will bring benefits to our pipeline.
•    Engage with all SD teams to assess current methods and develop new capabilities aiming to drive genetic gain and product performance. 
•    Support market segment programs by maximizing the exploitation of genetic diversity from all available resources, while securing proprietary rights of the germplasm. Develop germplasm management practices which could be used across crops and multiple world regions.
•    Engage with Seed Research project teams and Trait Assessment team to identify “high risk - high reward” projects and lead the deployment strategy of new traits and technologies across regions. 
•    Develop, recruit, and manage a scientific team, aiming to explore and create new values for Syngenta.

Critical knowledge

•    PhD. degree and demonstrated competency in Plant or animal Breeding, Plant Physiology, Plant Science or quantitative genetics
•    Proficient knowledge and experience in statistics
•    Experience in molecular biology, including methods such as gene editing, gene discovery and gene expression
•    Experience in crop management / agronomy
•    Experience in data science programming languages and coding

Critical experience

•    Minimum 5+ years in research and development leadership position
•    Budget development and management 
•    Experience is data science tools and analytics
•    Experience managing people and teams

Critical personal capabilities

•    The incumbent will lead the disruption of the conventional breeding processes through innovation. Creativity, fast learner and ability to influence are critical personality capabilities for this role. 

•    Travel requirement – 25% - of the time. 

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. 

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.