Functional Excellence Manager Disease Control / Seedcare / Weed Control

The role of the Global Product Biology Functional Excellence team is to ensure that the design, execution and reporting of the field trials that we perform are carried out to the agreed standards across all geographies and disciplines so that the data generated can be used to support key decisions and stage gate advancements. 

We are looking for 3 Functional Excellence Managers: one each for the following Indications:  Disease Control, Seedcare or Weed Control.

• You will work closely with colleagues in Global Product Biology (GPB) Functional Excellence (PBEx) and Global Technical Managers (GTMs) in either the Disease Control/ Seedcare/ Weed Control Indication to design, execute and report field trials to agreed standards.
• You will work together with your colleagues in the other Indications and the Functional Excellence Lead, to define the standards for how our field trialing programs are designed, executed and reported.
• You will support GTMs with the field trials planning and reporting processes (including use of the IT systems and other tools) for Global Development projects (Stages 1, 2 and 3) to ensure they are aligned with the agreed standards.
• You will align ways of working and the use of tools for field trial planning and results ratings (KPIs) across the teams.
• You will need to effectively co-ordinate harmonized field programs across regions and key countries (Stage 1, 2 and 3) and strategic global projects ensuring efficient delivery on time and to the agreed quality standards monitoring progress in season.
• Actively managing the trials and highlighting in real time when they are off target or late will be a key part of managing data quality and timeliness of delivery.
• You will communicate the agreed standard processes and quality measures (mandatory data) to key stakeholders (GTMs, field scientists) and the importance of this in using the data in analyses and decision making.
• You will provide training to the trialing teams to develop their technical capability to deliver Stage 1, 2 and 3 trials and innovation platform projects using standard training material that is reviewed and updated annually.
• You will leverage a cross-enterprise network to develop a Continuous Improvement (CI) culture in the Global and Regional teams.

• Excellent knowledge of agronomy (farmer practices) and agricultural sciences (e.g. B.Sc, MSc, Ph.D. or relevant agronomy experience).
• Broad knowledge of agribusiness (Crop protection, Herbicides / Insecticides / Fungicides and New Technologies).
• Good understanding of research and hypothesis setting process.
• Basic knowledge of Weed / Insect / Disease / Seedcare Control technologies like crop protection chemicals or biologicals (including bio-stimulants)
• Basic understanding of commercial and business concepts.
• Well-developed people management and influencing skills to motivate, collaborate and achieve win-win outcomes.
• Creative and enquiring – open to new ideas, sharing knowledge and networking
• Good interpersonal communication skills and advanced English level spoken and written.

This role requires a large amount of overseas travel at various times during the year

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including:  

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment   
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence  
• A superb working environment at our Headquarters in Basel with modern offices, an open culture and diverse workforce
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options  
• You will profit from a competitive pension fund plan, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, fitness room, canteen, and other benefits (Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance…)  

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.  

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter the threats to our crops and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.