Formulation Development Team Leader

Role Purpose

• To provide specialist scientific, technical or product expertise required to design and deliver work programmes defined by a group/project or line manager. Responsible for initiating and implementing changes to established protocols or systems.
• Responsible for managing a small team of Level 1-3 staff, which will mean effective use of resources and may include responsibility for expenditure within agreed limits. May participate in cross section projects as a team member.
• Lead the Section input into multi-disciplinary projects.
• May lead small multi-disciplinary projects.
• Coaching and mentoring staff.

Accountabilities

• Agrees project definition and targets with project leaders and stakeholders from global and regional communities.

• Plans and organises work programmes, own staff resources and agrees support from external Syngenta functions on a 1-4 year timescale.   
• May define and maintain technical oversight of work carried out externally to Syngenta via CRO laboratories.
• Understands Syngenta processes to enable coordinated working in a broader project team.  Ensure the quality of new formulations by arranging for assessment / characterisation studies to be carried out within Formulation Development and in other Functions.
• Provides advice and recommendations to allow appropriate selection of formulation manufacturing sites for individual products, together with the product design inputs required to define the process equipment and quality assurance requirements.
• Applies own and external market and technical know-how, including the impact of formulation on wider project targets to deliver innovative formulated products or formulation technologies.
• Leads on-site and distance technical problem-solving support to formulation manufacturing sites and customer-interfacing technical sales organisations.
• Represents Formulation on global and regional research, product development and supply chain teams.
• Leads regional function and cross-functional projects. May lead small multidisciplinary projects.
• Leads a team of staff in the laboratory and monitor project progress to ensure that work complies with Syngenta standard operating procedures and statutory regulations, together with agreed timescales as efficiently and economically as possible.
• Assist the Formulation Product Design Group Leader with the selection and recruitment of staff and manage their training, development and performance evaluation to maximise their contribution to the business.  May lead specific recruitment events.
• To serve as a role model to more junior staff, including the personal demonstration of valued behaviours and to recognise and encourage those behaviours amongst the team.
• Ensure all work under direct control conforms to Syngenta HSE policies and any other statutory or internal policies including the Company Code of Ethics and its Policy of Diversity.
• Leads the maintenance and sharing of knowledge of one or more key formulation technologies (e.g. as a sub-topic lead in LEAP)
• Understand the broad context of the Syngenta strategy and how this aligns within our department, ensuring that activities and decisions are aligned with these.                               

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical experience

• A proven track record in developing new products
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
• Experience in dealing with commercial functions to develop new product concepts and to articulate project progress, risks, etc.
• Experience working with manufacturing plant personnel to effectively transfer technology

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Strong ability to motivate and lead a team of people.
• Ability to engage with a very diverse group of people.
• Ability to learn very quickly in a range of technical fields.
• Ability to handle a wide range of projects and to balance demands on both self and team’s time.
• Ability to adapt to changing strategic and external drivers.
• Ability to present complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience.

Syngenta will offer

• Competitive salary and benefits scheme including bonus, healthcare & generous pension
• 31.5 days annual holiday
• Flexible working hours
• A commitment to innovation
• Leading edge technology
• Good onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes
• Great opportunities for personal and career development
• Interaction with external researchers and opportunities to represent Syngenta in research networks, collaborations and conferences.
• Vibrant R&D focused workforce with wide and varied social communities to join

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

At Syngenta, we are passionate about sustainably feeding the world and providing growers with the best solutions to do this. Syngenta is committed to developing new products and exploring how formulation technologies can deliver benefits to both growers and society. This is an exciting area of R&D requiring high levels of innovation & collaboration.

To support our ambitions, following internal development of current staff, we are seeking an energised and motivated analytical scientist who is excited by the opportunity to partner with our formulation chemists to deliver new products.

About Syngenta & our R&D Centre at Jealotts Hill

Syngenta is leading science-based agtech company; dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 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

Our Jealotts Hill R&D site hosts a vibrant multi-disciplinary scientific community of around 800 people.  Located between Maidenhead and Bracknell it offers a spacious and green campus environment with comprehensive sports facilities, catering facilities & social clubs. We are proud of our community and how we work together to deliver.