Regional SPR Lead, ASEAN

Role purpose

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Seeds Production Research (SPR) field production function for APAC region.
• Ensure that vital personnel processes (selection, goal setting and evaluation, coaching, advancement and development planning, etc.) are a top priority to maintain a high performing, motivated and engaged team.
• Engage with adjacent functions (seed product development, supply chain, sites and field, etc.) to develop a robust project workslate resulting in delivery of significant benefits and savings to the business.
• Manage operating and capital budgets analyzing expenditure and providing feedback to line managers regarding progress vs. budget.
• Interact with the global SPR team to continue progress on global harmonization of common protocols and execution of global field production and functional initiatives.
• Engage and participate with key functional teams and processes including but not limited to regional Seeds Ops Team and Seeds Development Teams.
• Act as a champion and ambassador for the SPR function, educating the business on key projects and initiatives and driving implementation of technologies developed by the group.
• Lead the mechanization transformation in the region from the field to the site.

• Organizational design and team structure management to maintain peak efficiency in an environment of changing priorities

• Ensure that all personnel management processes and responsibilities are managed as a top priorityDevelop a plan to mechanize seeds ops activities including learnings from other regions and innovations in this area.
• Development and management of a prioritized business-responsive project portfolio built on solid project management principles and ensure that critical elements (charters, benefit analysis, reporting, etc.) are in place and executed.
• Ensure critical trials and projects are identified, prioritized, designed, and executed properly with a focus on continuous improvement of seed yield, reliability and/or quality with a focus on addressing critical business needs
• Facilitate the appropriate balance of priorities and resources during trial and project management. Work with SPR and adjacent functions to achieve efficiencies when executing projects through priority setting and resource management.
• Facilitate the exchange of results and best practices across multiple regions and crops when applicable.
• Manage operating and capital budgets analyzing expenditure and providing feedback to line managers regarding progress vs. budget.
• Maintain an awareness of competitive developments and key technologies in the seed production and adjacent industries, along with external technology institutions to ensure that innovations are identified, evaluated, and implemented.
• Ensure full HSE compliance and promote environmentally sustainable solutions. Member of the SPR HSE committee to provide input and communicate HSE policies to internal department/location.
• Personal development; Attend Company sanctioned and/or external training events, as agreed upon with Supervisor, for development of personal and technical skills.
• Representation of Syngenta: Builds trust inside the company and in the local community showing ethical considerations and Syngenta values are reflected in company activities. Effectively promotes SPR and Syngenta Brand inside the company and with customers and stakeholders.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge

• Advanced degree in an agricultural or biological discipline or BS with significant relevant experience
• Thorough grasp of seed production and processing of multiple crop species in varied environments.
• Thorough understanding of seed business functions including supply chain, quality, and product line management.

Critical experience

• Seeds production knowledge across a range of crops
• Implementation and testing of regional seed production strategies
• Appreciation of statistical or modeling approaches
• Organization; planning, pro-activity and reactivity Leadership; Flexibility and Availability
• Communication; impactful, open-minded, with an aptitude to develop easy contacts with all customers
• Cross functional and multi-cultural project management aptitude
• Mechanization knowledge in field

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to motivate and share knowledge and expertise with others.
• Ability to communicate and influence a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze complex and diverse problem situations creatively leading to the generation and implementation of effective solutions
• Ability to drive project execution through others and in areas of technology outside core competence
• Able to maintain and extend structured networks both within region and between regions
• Must possess expert critical thinking capability;
• Must have energy, drive and persistence
• Must possess advanced capability in influencing and negotiation

Critical leadership capabilities

• Must have advanced capabilities in setting ambitious strategic goals;
• Must have advanced ability to communicate with impact;
• Must be advanced at building a culture of innovation;
• Must have proficient skills to develop people, organization and self;
• Must have expert ability to collaborate across boundaries working well with people who differ in race, gender, culture or age

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ability to work days, evenings and weekends
• Must be able to travel by car or plane
•  Ability to walk fields in all weather conditions
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including phone, fax, copier and computer

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 60% of work performed in standard office
• 40% of work performed in field locations or meetings
• General office environment
• Computer usage for extended periods of time
• Heavy phone usage including teleconferences

OTHER:

• Occasional international travel; must have a current passport
• Must have a valid driver’s license

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.