Multi-Site Operations Lead

At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the Seeds Development team is currently seeking a Multi-Site Operations Lead, located in Slater, Iowa

Role Purpose
In this role, you will be responsible for the management of functional and operational activities that occur at the sites, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Effectively leading the site’s seeds operations organizations to deliver against the site-level workload.
• Developing staff and incorporating leading capabilities and technologies in daily seed production operations to generate the highest quality seed in an efficient, safe, timely, and environmentally sustainable and in the quantities required.
• Ensure we have the Right Seed Quantity & Quality, at the Right Place, and Right Time
• Drive and champion standardization, best practices, protocols, and methodologies for optimal nursery operations.
• Bring balance between improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Provide input and drive implementation of our sustainability strategy and regenerative agriculture programs.
• Maintain a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across Ops sites.
• Responsible for monitoring progress against milestones and resource use and driving metric-based project decision processes across our Seeds portfolio.
• Leading across teams, driving results, communication, and development would be good skills.          

Accountabilities

Work in a team-based environment to effectively manage and deliver multi-site level workload:

Resources 

• Own budget for the Operations cost centers: Plan, execute and deliver seed quantities required on necessary timelines within the allocated budget.  Successfully manage resources under changing circumstances.
• Ensure/propose investment in capabilities and infrastructure for seed production and processing at the multi-site levels in alignment with Seeds Development strategy and capital processes.
• Define multi-sites level resource availability for seed production and processing and ensure proper workload alignment against that availability.
• Develop and continuously update unit costs for all operations tasks conducted at multi-site.

Operations

• Ensure proper implementation and timely execution of seed processing and packaging across multi-site operations.
• Own and Optimize delivery of nurseries seed production (Quality, Quantity, and Timeliness)
• Effective multi-site nursery management, including planting, pollination, harvest, and processing.
• Ensure multi-site seed production and processing activities are conducted under company HSE standards.  Assess and improve safety practices to meet safety targets.
• Facilitate Operations alignment with meetings with other functions and Operations team meetings
• Other tasks as assigned

People       

• Line management of Operations managers at multiple sites.
• Ensure people management processes, people capabilities, and succession plans are in place for the site Operations team.
• HSE and Code of Conduct responsibility at the multi-site level.

Reporting / Communication         

• Ensure transparency and cross-site communications regarding Operations efficiencies and best practices.
• Responsible for reporting seed production status updates and KPIs at the sites and to Seeds Development Leadership.

• Bachelor’s Degree Required, Master’s Preferred with equivalent experience in Agronomy, Industrial Technology, Agriculture Business, Manufacturing, or other technology with a good understanding of agriculture, crop management, and breeding principles.
• Thorough understanding of seed production (Operations) processes and sufficient knowledge to identify critical issues and engage effectively with people to solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills are required to foster teamwork, enhance a good working environment, and develop strong working relationships with diverse people.
• Ability to work outside in all kinds of weather, to stand/sit for extended periods, and to travel overnight on occasion. Occasional travel within the region.
• Excellent organization and computer skills.   
• Excellent interpersonal skills, especially those required to be part of a cross-functional team. 
• Ability to understand and communicate complex instructions.
• Track record of delivery
• Excellent skills in process improvement, automation, LEAN/Six Sigma, 5S.
• Strong communicator who can influence, build consensus, and gain support.
• Demonstrated decision-making & problem-solving capabilities in the face of conflicting priorities and ambiguity
• Provide leadership to a functionally diverse team.
• Effective and efficient management of Operations resources.
• Develop a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement to deliver the agreed-upon workload within budget and timeline.
• Winning the support and commitment of the multiple site-level staff to drive operational efficiency and excellence.
• Coach and support the development of employees to foster an environment of teamwork and collaboration
• Hold employees accountable for achieving performance results and demonstrating work behaviors that effectively promote collaboration and teamwork while showing Syngenta’s values
• Recognize and value employees through ongoing recognition of individual and team results.
• Experience in managing intensive field nursery operations is vital.

Preferred Requirements

• General knowledge of Seed Development functions and seed production and a general understanding of how to interface with those functions. 
• Experience in managing all aspects of seed production

• 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

Work Level: 5B

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.