Head of R&D Flowers Operations America

The Gilroy, CA station Operations Lead is responsible for the management of functional and operational activities at the Gilroy research site including but are not limited to the following:

• Effectively leading the execution of trialing for breeding and marketing, starter material, and operational activities at the site in a timely, accurate, and in a cost-effective way to deliver a healthy product pipeline
• Developing staff, improving processes, and driving adoption of new technologies, in daily operations to bring the highest quality products to market in an efficient, safe, and environmentally sound manner of a research facility
• Infrastructure and capital improvements, rolling trialing’s and quality operations for the Gilroy site

In this position, you are responsible for the ongoing development, upkeep and maintenance of the Gilroy site and all its assets to meet the needs for Syngenta Flowers site and all functions that utilize the site in a manner that represents the Syngenta brand appropriately.

Accountabilities

Work in a team-based environment to effectively manage and deliver site level capabilities that allow delivery against commercial portfolio targets:

Resources

• Site operational budget: Plan, execute and deliver works to defined R&D standards, within allocated budget
• Ensure/propose investment in capabilities and infrastructure at site level in alignment with R&D strategy and successfully gaining approvals through R&D capital matrix guidance/DOA processes
• Define site level resource availability, align resources and work plans according to strategic priorities, and assure that demand and resources are well balanced within your station
• Oversee CBRE site services and collaborate with SDM/FM to set discuss priorities and issues, shares upcoming workload for the site, standards of housekeeping, maintenance and excellence in site operations
• Contribute to develop and continuously update unit costs for all operational tasks conducted at the site level

Operations

• Ensure all regulatory requirements (business license, permits, etc.) are in place and lead official inspections (Cal Osha, City, State and Ag) for the site
• Ensure proper implementation and timely execution of trialing (breeding and marketing) and starter material operations on site
• Own and optimize trialing and starter material delivery at the site level (Quality, quantity, and timeliness)
• Participate in cultivation evaluations and make sure that improvements and findings regarding process improvement from those evaluations are being included in the operations protocols
• Lead QM and Continuous Improvement
• Ensure delivery according to plan for all crop activities
• Ensure operational activities at the site are conducted in accordance with company HSE & phytosanitary standards
• Facilitate site level alignment meetings and team meetings, including tiered meetings
• Conduct time studies and guide the team in labor planning
• Delivery of KPI’s to measure work performed, assess/analyze, and use this information to propose productivity improvements
• Facilitate the development of high throughput phenotyping and automation at the station

People

• Line management of the trialing/growing team, starter material, operational, and Tissue Culture teams on site
• Ensure motivation and engagement of the site community in collaboration with other functions and support sustainability programs for the site
• Ensure people management processes, people capabilities and succession plans are in place
• Ensure good project management and people interactions.
• HSE and Code of Conduct responsibility for the operations team.
• Continuous improvement of direct reports through performance management, training, and mentoring
• Recruit and manage seasonal staff: be the site point person for the contract labor needed on site, collect and report on data regarding labor hours spent on specific activities and develop operational standards

Reporting / Communication

• Collaboration and communication: create a collaborative way of working with Market Segment team (Breeders and Scientists)
• Ensure transparency and cross-site communications regarding site operational efficiencies and best practices
• Responsible for reporting operational status updates and KPIs for trialing and starter material operations at the site
• Effectively communicating on a daily bases with peers and supervisor regarding the status of projects and work activities.

Critical knowledge

• MS or BS degree in horticulture, biological sciences, botany, genetics, agriculture, crop science, or plant science biology with good understanding of agriculture, crop management and breeding principles is required; post-graduate qualification preferred
• Thorough understanding of R&D processes and sufficient knowledge to identify the critical issues and engage effectively with people to solve problems
• Knowledge of Syngenta functions supporting R&D, and those systems relevant for portfolio / project management and finance is a plus
• Sound understanding of commercial and business needs
• Sound understating of agronomy, plant breeding, logistics, operations, automation, seed physiology and modelling and planning tools
• Knowledge of activity-based costing and basic accounting principles
• Working experience with Lean ways of working/Lean Six Sigma, and Agile methodology
• Knowledge of automation and high throughput phenotyping tools
• At least 8 years experience working in a greenhouse environment
• At least 4 years of experience building and leading operations at a greenhouse facility

Critical experience

• Operate in a team setting. Successfully function both as a manager and a mentor
• Experience working in a greenhouse environment and field desirable
• Ability to use and understand greenhouse control hardware and software
• Planning, modelling, and manufacturing environment experience
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word and Excel, and other standard software.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary systems and inventory management.
• Proven record of leading a dispersed team of highly qualified technical experts in a matrixed reporting environment
• Expert working knowledge of R&D workflows and operations
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management skills

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to plan and manage organizational change
• Ability to think and plan strategically
• Ability to communicate clearly at all organizational levels
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop dashboards to report progress against metrics and KPIs
• Ability to estimate financial impacts of plan scenarios
• Ability to establish priorities and oversee multiple research activities simultaneously at peak work periods

Critical leadership capabilities

• Set direction
  • Prioritize actions and ensure appropriate support and resource
  • Communicate inspirationally:  Gain commitment of key stakeholders in a compelling way and help see how objectives are aligned to company strategy and add value
• Drive results
  • Skilfully plan, organize, and monitor performance against deadlines. Sense and adapt to the changing environment to achieve excellence in delivery
  • Step beyond comfort zones:  Manage risk and able to work with uncertainty
  • Focus energy on must-wins:  Make tough decisions
• Liberate potential

Coach to release creativity and innovation:  Coach people to connect across functions and boundaries to spark innovation

• Relocation support is not available
• Travel – 10% and seasonal travel to off-station trialing locations

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands

• Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse
• Potential allergens; pollen, fungal spores, chemical pesticides in the greenhouse
• Work is performed in the field, greenhouse, lab, and office
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds
• Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Generous Vacation Policy in addition to paid holidays.
• Maternity/Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs and Corporate Discounts among other benefits.
• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members.

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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.