Operations Specialist

The Operations Specialist for Vegetable Seeds R&D Operations in Woodland, CA, supports breeding projects by managing greenhouse, cage, and open field operations, while supervising third-party contract labor. Key responsibilities include organizing on-site crossing blocks and nurseries, conducting field product evaluations, and assisting with seed cleaning, storage, shipment, and testing. The specialist must also follow Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) guidelines and support site management in research facility activities.

Accountabilities:

• Functioning as an integral member of operations team covering all activities from seed to seed process from sowing to harvest including but not limited to planning, request, sowing list, labelling, plantation list, organize pollination plan, harvest list, seed health measures, seed cleaning and storage.
• Directly manage and supervise including but not limited to planning, seeding, sampling, planting, growing, note taking, harvesting, seed extraction and packaging of vegetable trials and vegetable breeding nurseries.
• Supporting efforts to maintain seed stewardship principles of inventory and performing tasks that include but are not limited to: seeding, sampling, planting, spraying, threshing and data collection.
• Use different phenotyping tools to secure trial data collection and data storage. Input and maintain data in database.
• Managing, coaching and training of third-party contract labor to ensure accurate results are achieved. Monitoring performance indicators for third-party contract labor.
• On-call for greenhouse emergencies or unscheduled work based on business needs or weather conditions (including weekends).
• Performing all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses and attending local safety meetings.
• Effectively communicating on a daily basis with peers, breeding teams and supervisor regarding the status of projects and work activities.
• Participate in research and process-improvement projects related to the growing and breeding of vegetable varieties. 

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. 

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.  

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. 

Critical knowledge:

• Masters /or BS with equivalent experience in plant breeding, agronomy, biology, or horticulture.
• A basic understanding of plant physiology and breeding is desirable.
• MS Office Suite and database management skills.
• Clear understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• Good ability to plan activities. Basic understanding of project management and planning.
• Excellent communication skills. Fluent in English. Spanish recommended.
• Desirable to have a QAC or the ability to acquire within 6 months after hire. 

Critical experience:

• Ability to use professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a wide range of problems in practical ways.
• Ability to operate seed laboratory equipment, like seed cleaners, seed counters, and other tools needed for agricultural research projects.
• Ability and motivation to learn new technologies. Experience with data-management tools is a plus.
• Experience in electronic data collection, imaging or high throughput phenotyping tools.
• Desirable experience with Lean ways of working/Lean Six Sigma, and Agile methodology.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word and Excel, and other standard software.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary systems for label printing and inventory management.

Critical leadership capabilities:

• Must be able to work in a team and communicate with individuals throughout the organization.
• Experience in managing, coaching and training a diverse crew of third-party contract labor.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driver’s history.

Salary for this role is $56,000 - $84,000 per year. 

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.  
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. 
Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 

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.

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