Glasshouse Team Lead

Role purpose:

• Provide operational leadership and direction to the plant nursery and seed processing teams
• Ensure that agreed quantities of green plants are produced and delivered on time and in budget

 Accountabilities

Operations

• Manage the relevant operational aspects of the plant production process from receipt of donor seed, through to coordinating the transfer of plant material to end users.
• To understand and undertake, the full range of plant husbandry, pollination procedures and seed processing activities required to produce plants to strict deadlines
• Work with the Cell Biology Team Lead to liaise with key stakeholders and breeding leaders to ensure that annual production is scheduled according to agreed targets, timelines and priorities.  Understand stakeholder needs and communicate production expectations.
• To ensure that the production of plant material is maintained at agreed and budgeted levels
• In consultation with the wider team, engage in developing cross site standard ways of working for glasshouse operations.
• Ensure plant production tracking (including MINT) and data generator (like SPIRIT) and analysis files are managed and maintained appropriately
• Ensure equipment and work areas are maintained to a high level
• Supervising the day-to-day operations of the nursery, including watering plants, fertilizing them, and monitoring insect and disease infestation

People

• Manage glasshouse specialists/technicians working in the glasshouse, pollination and seed processing areas.  Ensure that adequate training is provided for them to successfully deliver their role, while providing them with opportunities to develop their capabilities.
• Responsibility to ensure that challenging personal goals are set for direct reports.  Ensure that personal development/career plans are constructed and supported.

HSES and Quality

• Identify HSE areas for improvement and ensure operational activities are within defined standards within the work areas. Identify corrective measures and ensure they are implemented
• Through leading by example ensure that quality principles are adhered to for all operational activities

Continuous Improvements

• Drive excellence in operations, emphasis on continuous improvement and productivity, sharing best practises, obtaining the agreed quality level, and measurement with effective KPIs
• Contribute to the implementation of long-term plant production plans. Work with the Cell Biology Team Lead to manage change effectively, both individually and within the team. 
• Support the annual budgeting processes by providing input to Cell Biology Team Lead on projected spend, risks, challenges and opportunities

Knowledge, Experience & Capabilities:

Critical knowledge

• Degree or equivalent in agricultural or biological science
• Understanding of DH technology and its integration into and value to plant breeding programmes
• Understanding of health and safety in the controlled environment.  Awareness of growth and care requirements of cereals plant materials.

Critical experience

• Minimum of three years’ experience working in a plant science or similar environment
• Minimum of two years’ experience of supervising a team
• Experience of managing customer expectations essential
• Experience of working with operational HSE processes essential
• Experience of managing and delivering plant husbandry operations essential
• Experience of presenting project updates desirable
• Experience of working with Cereals crops desirable

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Commitment to the highest standards and quality of work as an individual and across the team
• Ability to plan, schedule and deliver multiple activities using available resources
• Drive to motivate a team through peaks in workload to meet business needs
• Ability to communicate at all levels and collaborate across boundaries
• Competence in the use of Microsoft Office packages and data management systems
•  Ability to drive a continuous improvement culture and mindset

Critical leadership capabilities

• Gains commitment of individuals in a compelling way
• Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers
• Skilfully plans, organizes and monitors performance
• Coaches people to excel, provides opportunities for learning, and creates a climate for development and growth    

Syngenta will offer:

• Competitive benefits package including opportunities for flexible working.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Interaction with external researchers and opportunities to represent Syngenta in research networks, collaborations and conferences.
• Good onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes.
• Campus environment based at Jealott’s Hill located in the Berkshire countryside between Bracknell and Maidenhead.
• Great opportunities for personal and career development.
• A modern, stimulating and dynamic working environment which promotes diversity and inclusion, scientific excellence and collaboration.
• A job and responsibilities with purpose at state-of-the-art facilities within a world class R&D campus site.

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

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Syngenta is leading science-based agtech company; dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 100 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.

 As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats 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.