Manager, Production - Corn Field

This role will be responsible for the management and execution of all phases of seed corn production to ensure high quality, reliable, and timely supply is delivered to the facility. They will develop a crop placement strategy to deliver the production plan and work across sites to continue building best practices within seed production. This person will be accountable for executing and maintaining the field budget, in conjunction with Site Manager and Corn Business Controller. They will also be a key stakeholder in the site’s “Goal Zero” safety initiative.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for contracting seed production acres with growers to maximize yields with a focus on producing a quality crop
• Develop a long-term production strategy to ensure a consistent quality and reliable supply
• Coordinate harvest activities in conjunction with the site’s Operations Manager and Plant Operations Lead  for bulk storage and conditioning process scheduling requirements. 
• Develop clear performance metrics for field production staff.
• Oversee the scheduling of planting, detasseling, and harvest activities with growers and 3rd party contractors
• Develop and maintain a grower evaluation system to drive increased quality and yields
• Set and maintain operational field budgets in conjunction with Site Manager and Corn Business Controller
• Conduct outside contactor orientation when contractor work is required
• Perform post-season yield analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the growing area and field
• Manage agronomists that oversee field scouting to evaluate irrigation, weed, and pest management and are responsible for seed pricing with grower contracts
• Hire and manage seasonal workforce
• Responsible for developing a Capital Asset Improvement plan as it relates to field production
• Execution of timely grower and vendor payments
• Partner with Seed Production Research or other area specialists to manage projects, such as testing new technology, continuous improvement plans, and new production concepts  
• Implement and maintain key field procedures and processes
• Oversee the pre-season planning duties: recruitment of new grower, field selection and qualification, hybrid placement strategy, SAP data entry, field maps
• Develop relationships with Syngenta Crop Protection and Seed representatives
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA’s) if yield or production issues arise
• Actively participate in site leadership team to foster a strong culture founded in adherence to all applicable HSE, and other corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines.
•  Specific HSE responsibilities include Worker Protection Standard and safe driving programs.

• Maintain Safe Work Behaviours and Environment
• Ability to build networks with suppliers, internal site staff and stakeholders; reputation for consistent customer focus
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently based on job assignment
• Foster a culture of inclusion to create a positive work environment  
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained to enable manufacture of high-quality products
• Ability to work cross-functionally and as a team player
• Create a “safety first” working environment to safeguard employees, Syngenta assets and the environment.
• Identify areas for strategic improvement within assigned role scope.
• Ability to identify risk through process risk assessment and develop and implement risk mitigation solutions.

Critical knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Excellent leadership, project management and communication skills
• Strong Agronomic and pest management skills
• Knowledge of seed production terminology and practices
• Strong computer skills and ability to work in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word

Critical experience

• Minimum 5 years in seed production/planning experience
• Experience with working in a cross-functional team
• Demonstrated success of leading a team
• Experience with working in a high stress environment

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to influence, lead and manage employees.
• Creative business mind with structured thinking and decision-making skills.
• Passion for business process improvement.
• Excellent creative problem-solving, analytical and quantitative skills
• Able to grasp and communicate complex ideas.
• Clearly Decisive: Ability to make timely and well thought out recommendations that are supported by data and analysis.
• Trusted: Meets all work commitments and follows through in a responsible and reliable manner; professionally and confidentially handles sensitive information.
• Customer-Focused: Responsive to the needs of internal and external customers.
• Results-Oriented: Establishes measurable goals for the department to provide continual improvement in the areas of employee safety and product quality, quantity and cost.
• Communicative: Ability to create effective and efficient communication tools for all audiences; establishes clear objectives and timelines for work; good listener
• Team-Oriented: Works well across all Business Units and functions; values input from others
• Innovative: Continually seeks new and unique opportunities to improve product quality, cost and employee satisfaction.
• Ability to network with industry colleagues to monitor competitiveness and share best practices where appropriate.
• Ability to work with wide range of disciplines, including Quality, Seed Production, Seed Production Research, Product Development, and Sales & Marketing.
• Willingness to partner with industry suppliers to optimize use of capital assets while maintaining product quality and cost.

Critical leadership capabilities

• Passion for Customers
• Long View
• Growth for All
• Determined Execution
• How Matters

Physical demands of the essential functions:

• Ability to work during the days and occasional evenings/weekends during peak season.
• Must be able to travel by car/pickup.
• Ability to work in the plant and be on feet for long periods of time.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including phone, copier and computer.
• Wear appropriate PPE as required for operations in plant or the field.

Working conditions while performing essential functions

• 70% of work performed in standard office.
• 30% of work performed in plant, field.

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
• Paid Vacation, 9 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

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.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and 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. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.