Production Technician

About Us 
We invite you to help us shape the future of agriculture. 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 Production Operations team is currently seeking a Production Technician in Dassel, MN. 
You will help shape the future of agriculture by: 

• To produce a reliable supply of high-quality seed by executing production plant tasks assigned by Plant Management.  
• Organize, perform, and lead in assigned departments to ensure all required processes, procedures and production requirements are met.  
• Position will take on several roles based upon field production practices, plant processing requirements and distribution needs.  
• Manage field operations, seed receiving, and conditioning equipment operations to ensure that all seed is properly handled and conditioned so the highest quality seed will be packaged to meet sale demands. 
   

Accountabilities  

• Assist site maintenance manager in making repairs and improvements to plant equipment.
• Foster an operational culture founded on adherence to all applicable HSE and other corporate policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Supervise employees and third party personnel as required.
• Perform other duties as required to meet plant or site needs.
• Monitor all plant equipment and keep in good state of repair through a preventive maintenance schedule.
• Ensure all equipment is properly calibrated and routinely inspected.
• Active participation in plant upgrade projects and risk analysis.
• Work in conditioning, treating, packaging, or other areas to meet facility needs.
• Provide leadership and overall seed quality expertise to plant activities.
• Responsible for maintaining, documenting, and adherences to established plant procedures.
• Responsible for product quality assessments and adherence to product specifications.
• All seed picked and transported to specified area is identified accurately and checked against production order.
• Fill all orders per production order instructions.
• Ensure all clean-downs and changeovers are done correctly to eliminate any product mixture.
• Develop and implement a preventive maintenance program for the plant equipment.
• Conduct seed testing and reporting activities, to maintain company quality standards.
• Responsible for product quality assessments and adherence to product specifications.
• QBS process audits and coordination of site documentation.
• Picking and coordinating of shipments.
• Physical inventory and seed return operations.
• During growing season will be assigned production area to monitor seed quality through field inspections and record keeping.
• Support Agronomists in field related activities as directed.
• A proactive response when seed is not meeting approved Product Specifications standards.
• Rigorous Plant and Equipment R & M scheduling and tracking.
• Diligent continuous improvement processing efforts with accompanying employee motivations.
• Timely execution and provisions of informational requirements.
• Adherence to Lean principles and ways of working.
• Strict adherence to HSE protocols and all corporate policies and processes.

Requirements 

• Must be High School graduate or have GED degree
• Associate degree in agronomy (or related plant science), Ag. Business is preferred but not required
• An agricultural background is also preferred but not required
• Knowledge of office functions and processes, including MS Office, MS Databases and Spreadsheets, and SAP
• Ability to operate state of the art conditioning, chemical and packaging equipment
• Excellent analytical and deductive reasoning skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Working knowledge of inventory management principals
• Must be able to be forklift certified
• Ability to be CDL certified preferred
• Individual must be authorized to work in the United States for Syngenta without work authorization sponsorship now or in the future.  

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 
• Open Vacation Policy with 15 days vacation, 5 Floating Holidays, 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 
• Starting at $21/hour

  
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) 
 
#LI-SA2 
 

About Syngenta 
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. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.