Head of Crop Protection Research Logistics & Compound Dispensing

Role Purpose:

Lead the Global Logistics platform to enable CP R&D Strategy delivery. Drive high standards through a culture of operational excellence, for all chemical and diverse biological sample storage and shipment, within and across CP R&D.  With a strong customer-centric approach, leveraging advances in digital and automation technology and a truly integrative mindset continually optimizing capacity and flexibility to ensure the platform is meeting the evolving needs of customers now and for the future

Role Scope:

• The operational and archive storage of all CPR chemical and biological screening samples.
• The associated logistics platforms and facilities for dispensing these samples into screening vessels.
• Global sample shipping between Syngenta sites, and to and from 3rd parties.
• Sample storage and logistics workflow and data management.
• People: Line management of the Jealott’s Hill and Stein Logistics and Shipping Teams (total approx. 25) and transversal accountabilities to other research sites
• Internal: Connection with key customers and stakeholders in CPR functions – Biology, Bioscience, Biologicals, Chemistry as well as R&D IT, Product Safety and Process Technology & Engineering.
• External: Work with 3rd party collaborators to ensure an efficient flow of screening samples and data. Maintain awareness of global shipping regulations to anticipate and manage change.

Accountabilities:

• Work with the Crop Protection Research Leadership Team (CPRLT) and functional leaders to deliver the key recommendations from a 2022 strategy review of sample logistics, covering CAPEX, people, sample LIMS system, shipping and critical workflows.
• Engage with key customers and stakeholders in CPR functions to ensure that the Logistics platform meets current and future needs, for example, in the evolving strategies for chemical lead generation and biological screening.
• Build Biologicals sample logistics capabilities
• Maintain and develop expertise in the shipment of biologicals material with minimal work for the requester
• Ensure quality control for accuracy and consistency in dispensing of small sample quantities, as well as sample quality
• Develop the automation and digital capabilities of the logistics team members and target recruitment and training of critical skill gaps. Ensure regular contact between the site teams to reinforce ‘One Logistics’.
• Identify resource and technology bottlenecks, capability gaps and risks and communicate these appropriately to key stakeholders and functional leaders with proposals for improvement.
• Connect with relevant strategic capability development projects.
• Work closely with R&D IT to define requirements, develop and implement global LIMS sample management software.
• Seek to digitalize processes to increase efficiency of the logistics organisation
• Implement and refine sample management policies for chemical samples (including those from collection enhancement, CPR projects, natural products, and standards) and biological samples (extracts and whole organisms). Maintain compliance with CBD/ABS requirements.
• Define and monitor KPIs with respect to sample numbers, formats and delivery timelines
• Actively manage critical consumable stocks and monitor costs.
• Develop and maintain a network of external equipment and software vendors and an awareness of the state of the art for sample logistics in related industries, including pharma, in order to propose and introduce new capabilities.
• Ensure compliance of HSE to Syngenta standards and encourage best practice.
• Maintain compliance with the Syngenta Code of Conduct.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge:

• A degree in a life science discipline or equivalent industrial experience
• Fluent in English, knowledge of one of the following languages is advantageous (French, German, Italian)

Critical experience:

• Working in an R&D organisation
• Experience with sample logistics and dealing with the storage, dispensing and shipment of chemicals and biological materials
• Compliance with international shipping regulations (for example, CBD/ABS/CLP requirements)
• Digital skills and experience in modern logistics
• Leading teams from diverse backgrounds
• Experience working with multiple 3rd parties/partners and managing complexity
• Working with, or leading, laboratory automation and data flows
• Critical professional and personal capabilities
• Customer-focus. Reaches out to Crop Protection Research customers to understand current and future end to end needs, and define optimal technical solutions
• Responds to, and manages, different views and opinions and to influence others to align on a way forward
• Operational and continuous improvement mindset
• Able to navigate inside and outside the organisation to address bottlenecks in logistics operations and meet demanding timelines (e.g. Interaction with internal stakeholders, vendors or third-party collaborators)
• Openness to change and flexibility to adapt
• Technology foresight and a desire to innovate, for example with the digitally connected lab of the future

Critical success factors & key challenges:

• Develop a standard global LIMS system for sample logistics
• Respond to the rapid growth in Biologicals screening, and the need for automated sample storage for extracts and whole organisms, to define capital needs and processes
• Recruit and retain group members with key automation and digital skills
• Refine and implement practical sample management policies where storage capacity is limited, particularly in the operational solubilised sample stores

In return for your skills and knowledge Syngenta will offer:

• Competitive benefits package including opportunities for flexible working.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Good onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes.
• 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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