Quality Manager, India

Role purpose

Overall purpose of the job. This is a summary list of six to eight statements for key result areas where the role holder will have decision-making responsibilities.

• Comprehensive Quality Oversight: Manage the entirety of Syngenta India's Seed Production and Processing Quality program (QA, QC, QM). This involves overseeing processes, systems, and personnel to optimize both production quantity and quality. Align all efforts with the overarching policies, goals, and objectives of the company.

• Stringent Standards Compliance: Ensure that all seed products produced by Syngenta India meet the set Syngenta seeds quality specification and customer expectations in terms of high-quality standards. This spans various dimensions, including Physical, Physiological, Genetic, and Sanitary characteristics.

• Resource Allocation and Infrastructure: Establish a robust framework for Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Quality Management by creating necessary infrastructure, allocating resources effectively, and aligning people and processes. This framework should cover the entire spectrum from Basic Seed development to the completion of Commercial Seed Finished Products.

• Collaborative Ecosystem: Maintain an active and collaborative interface with various functions within the organization, fostering strong connections across departments. Additionally, engage with external professional networks to promote the exchange of knowledge and insights, thereby reinforcing the quality function and enhancing the understanding of interconnected processes.

• Holistic Non-Conformity Management: Take the lead in addressing non-conformities by identifying them, promptly reporting them, implementing appropriate mitigating actions, conducting thorough root-cause analyses, and executing corrective actions. This process is underpinned by a continuous improvement ethos, driving the organization towards enhanced quality.

• Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Monitor, measure, review, and report on the efficacy of Quality Control Procedures in attaining quality objectives. Through this feedback loop, identify opportunities for enhancement and drive initiatives aimed at continuous improvement. These actions collectively contribute to elevating the overall quality and integrity of Syngenta India's operations.

Accountabilities

This accountability list is on-going and unlikely to change significantly from year to year. Use action verbs (e.g., ensure, provide), provide a broad indication of the performance levels required (e.g. effectively, accurately), ensure the accountability relates clearly to this role; indicate freedom to act and interdependencies (e.g. independently, under supervision).

• Communicate quality goals, feedback, and measures to the team.
• Collaborate across departments to establish product standards.
• Continuously develop, review, and implement SOPs and WIs for QA/QC processes, ensuring comprehensive documentation and support across all functions, and regularly enhancing them to optimize performance.
• Coordinate with Field Production, Basic Seeds Production, Processing, and Warehousing.
• Ensure prompt identification and isolation of non-conforming elements.
• Lead RCA and CAPA for complaints, supporting involved functions.
• Communicate impactful non-conformities to management.
• Conduct annual Management Assessment, reviewing audits, performance, actions, and recommendations.
• Procure suitable testing equipment for reliable results.
• Deliver accurate, timely quality information via FOU system, fostering a culture of reporting.
• Operate QA/QC within budget, driving cost efficiency.
• Aim for zero defect delivery in Commercial and Parent Seeds.
• Strive for higher recoveries and eliminate quality losses.
• Ensure timely operation aligned with business plans.
• Detect and address safety concerns proactively.
• Ensure team adherence to policies, procedures, and regulations
• Manage talent, training, and performance evaluation.
• Identify and provide quality-related training, tools, and techniques.
• Define KPIs for quality function roles.
• Conduct performance evaluations and oversee third-party assessments.
• Measure and communicate team progress against goals and KPIs.
• Establish effective reporting and feedback mechanisms for QA/QC/QM programs.

Critical success factors & key challenges

List the main job contributions, i.e. the key tasks of the job (May include challenges facing the successful candidate in their first twelve months in the role) and the expected behaviour.

• Establishing new Syngenta Quality organization & lab infrastructure, methods of testing and inspection
• Establishing adequate Quality Control processes for incoming material, work in process, finished product and warehousing.
• Training and education of Quality team
• Developing multi-skilled personnel with capability to perform one or two roles within the quality function (role evolution, flexibility according to seasonal requirements)
• Maintaining effective coordination with other functions across organization and with Syngenta Quality Managers across region
• Maintaining awareness of the business context and company profitability, including budgetary control issues

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Effective computer skills; Microsoft Office Software and other Company and discipline specific software applications.
• Strong communication skills both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Attention to details.

Critical leadership capabilities

Please consult the Leadership Model at the end of this document and specify the 3 - 5 most important capabilities for the role.

• Pleasant and effectively deals with people at all levels.
• Hardworking
• Teaching and training skills
• Planning skills—long term and short term
• Academic and practical, able to analyze a broad spectrum of data.
• Planning, delegating and directing skills.
• Good coordination skills, able to handle multiple tasks and follow through results.
• Demonstrate integrity and discipline, sets personal example of excellence.

Additional information

List any additional information, i.e. travel requirements, mobility, open office environment, team culture, etc.

• May be required to work on extended shift during peak season months.
• Occasional requirement to work on non-working holidays or rest day.
• Able to drive a 4-wheel vehicle; Able to travel as required.
• In the event of an emergency, the employee holding this position is required to report on duty in accordance with the site’s Emergency Operations Protocol

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

This section captures the critical capabilities that an employee needs to effectively perform the role from the outset.  Both technical and non-technical in nature, focus is on the needs for the role rather than the capabilities of incumbents.

Critical knowledge

The “know-how” to perform the role acquired through academic study (degree, education, and certificates), business qualification or on-the-job experience. Specify the type of knowledge required (e.g. of particular systems or processes), not the know-how of incumbents.

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in relevant fields such as Biological Science, Agriculture, or related disciplines.
• Profound grasp of fundamental principles encompassing biology, biotechnology, seed science, seed production, processing, and seed quality control.
• Sound comprehension of Quality Assurance principles.
• Proficiency in supervision, training, and performance evaluation methodologies.
• Basic familiarity with SAP operations.
• Extensive knowledge of Seed Quality Control processes and Quality Management Systems.
• Well-versed in seed industry intricacies, capable of optimizing seed treatment, ensuring inventory quality, and navigating international trade regulations while fostering collaborations with external labs and governmental institutions.
• Strong foundation in biology, biotechnology, agriculture, seed production, quality control, Quality Assurance principles, QMS/ISO 9000 standards, ISO17025 / ISTA accreditation standards.

Critical Experience

• Minimum 10 years working experience in Quality Assurance in Seeds Production and Processing or in consumer goods manufacturing.
• Capability to understand operational processes focused on integrated product offers (Seeds & CP)
• Certifications an advantage including Quality Auditor, Quality Engineer, Quality Improvement Associate, Six Sigma
• Experience in assessing a situation, identifying issues and developing solutions that result in efficiencies and/or process improvements.
• Experience with implementation of corrective and preventive action programs
• Successfully demonstrated ability to coach others with a strong self-awareness (both strengths and opportunities) and ability to self-develop.
• Ability to adapt to change and work flexibly to overcome boundaries.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to adjust work schedule based on business requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements

Additional Information:

People are at the heart of what we do:

• Once a year Full body check
• Competitive insurance scheme
• Employee assistance program – to take care of your and your loved ones mental health
• Paid Vacation of 30days, 12 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, compassionate leaves
• Education assistance – for your career growth
• People first culture translated into ‘Most Preferred place to work 2022-23 by Times group’

Note: 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, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

To learn more visit: www.syngenta.com and www.good-growth-plan

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As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting.  From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.