Regional CPD Project Manager - Russia-Kazbec

Role purpose:

• Lead Crop Protection (CP) product life cycle management projects (high complexity), and work closely with Asia Middle East Africa (AMEA) product line leads on new active ingredient and regional new formulations in Russia-Kazbec countries (Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)
• Ensure delivery of projects in line with strategic drivers, within agreed timelines and budget, and according to company R&D governance framework
• Lead multi-functional project teams in overcoming external challenges to ensure continuity of development portfolio and unlock growth potential
• Business partner at cross-functional project development forums and leadership teams in Russia-Kazbec countries
• Supports Russia-Kazbec Head CP Development in driving CP development portfolio prioritization and implementing CPD strategic priorities
• Supports Head CP Project and Portfolio Management AMEA to lead and deliver special projects/initiatives as needed, including business improvement initiatives, digital transformation, new business opportunities
• Coaching and capability building of junior project manager to manage lower complexity projects.

Accountabilities

• Lead and deliver the agreed CPD portfolio of projects for Russia-Kazbec CP development projects.
• Manage resource deployment, risk profile and clarity on project progress and delivery to milestones and budget.
• Lead multi-functional project teams to proactively identify, document, and manage project risks, issues, and opportunities for rigorous control of product development.
• Represent Russia-Kazbec countries’ positions and requirements in regional development teams for new active ingredient and regional formulation development.
• Lead projects through established stage gate promotion governance process at Regional levels; ensure documentation for stage promotions are well prepared and archived; and ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement with technical and commercial stakeholders before governance body review.
• Provide transparency of development costs and business value of managed projects in project and portfolio management IT tools to enable fact-based, timely decision making and portfolio reporting.

Syngenta Crop Protection

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.

Qualifications

• Science degree to MSci level; Agronomy, Biology or Chemistry background preferred; Additional qualifications in finance/business administration/MBA.
• Advanced project management training, such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent qualification is desirable.

Critical experience

• At least 7 years of project / program / portfolio management experience, proven track record of project management
• Hands on business experience preferably in agrichemicals
• Experience working in Russia-Kazbec countries

Critical knowledge

• Fluent in English
• Proven record in the application of project and/or portfolio management methodologies
• Technically competent with a broad-based science knowledge, ability to learn quickly to understand CPD activities and the resources required to deliver them
• Good understanding of Agrichemical business strategies and principles of value creation for growers is a plus
• Broad knowledge of the Syngenta business gained through experience in a range of different roles and functions is a plus
• Broad knowledge of or ability/interest to quickly learn the use of digital technologies for product development in Agribusiness
• Broad knowledge of or ability/interest to quickly learn supporting IT tools (SmartChoice, Qlik, SmartSheet)
• Change management experience

Personal capabilities

• Strong track record in leading teams for successful outcomes
• An excellent communicator, able to use different styles to influence and build effective relationships at both working and senior levels
• Good interpersonal skills and capability to operate effectively in a matrix organization
• Rigor in fact finding, ability to set clear objectives and to define how to reach them, create accountabilities for project team members and willingness to review and react
• Strong organization skills
• Strong facilitation skills to plan and manage effective meetings and decision making
• Ability to think and work in complex structures.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Sound project management knowledge and experience, able to lead cross-function teams to deliver complex projects
• Good business acumen
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Data-driven individual with strong ability/interest to adopt digital technologies
• Able to identify risks and lead project teams in implementing mitigation actions in timely manner
• Able to challenge processes and behaviour, avoid complexity to improve efficiency, influence stakeholders to bring positive change
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills
• Self-motivated, independent
• Cultural awareness, international/regional experience