Regulatory Lead South Africa

PURPOSE

• Secure Syngenta’s position in related Business Area through securing our local Freedom to Operate (FtO) by leveraging reputation and drive local implementation of Syngenta sustainable agriculture agenda.
• Leading the Regulatory department in obtaining approval for Syngenta products in countries of responsibility (South Africa, Namibia and Botswana)) within agreed timelines.
• Secure Syngenta’s competitive edge through top quality submissions and handling registration issues in an ethical, trustworthy way in cooperation with country authorities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Leadership

• Responsible for leading the regulatory team with a special focus on ensuring/growing team motivation and capability monitoring/development.
• Build and maintain excellent working relations with both internal and external key stakeholders. 

Business Responsibilities

• Carry regulatory product responsibility for all Syngenta products in following countries South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
• Provide registration dossiers to agreed timelines according to procedures ensuring high quality and to a level of detail that enables smooth handling by the receiving authority
• Plan, achieve, maintain and defend approvals / registrations (for new registration-NPIs, re-registration, label extensions and formulation changes) of Syngenta Portfolio in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana to the appropriate approval authority. Aiming to meet business objectives within agreed timelines and in compliance with local statutory requirements
• Manage product defense process to extend the product life cycle.
• Elaborate and implement meaningful Regulatory strategies for maintenance ais and NPIs, aligned with the BA, the BU and Syngenta overall strategy for a sustainable crop protection.
• Liaise effectively with in-country regulatory authorities & Commercial and Development teams, colleagues in other geographies including HQ (EPR, Product Safety) and neighboring Business areas to be fully aligned regarding the BAs business and regulatory strategies .
• Ensure registration applications are progressed in an expeditious manner (i.e. prompt response to queries and provision of extra data when required)
• Accountable for management of information documentation in Syngenta regulatory databases (Veeva Vault, Project Planner) for allocated portfolio.
• Remain up to date with latest regulatory matters, inform Business Sustainability functions at HQ and ensure current requirements are followed in product submissions
• Analyse local and regional trends in Plant Protection Regulatory Affairs with the aim to make recommendations for improvements/changes for the countries within his/her responsibility (S. Africa, Namibia and Botswana).
• Update relevant colleagues in the country organization on changes in registration deadlines, with the aim of keeping annual and 5y-plans up to date
• Ensure BA organization’s awareness on competitor bans or registration problems to allow the business the opportunity to evaluate product and market gaps, which can be covered by Syngenta portfolio.
• Coordinate the work of the local Regulatory specialist for the artwork activities (warning text, SDS and UIN) of the team for newly registered and re-registered products on the South African BA in compliance with global standards and local standards
• Work with the in-country and Territory Stewardship Function to make sure that registration decisions and SYT standards are implemented
• Active engagement and participation in the local Industry association SYT is part of (CropLife South Africa), in order to update in a timely manner both the local and HQ Business sustainability organizations; and to develop and implement impactful actions in line with Business Sustainability strategy.

• Scientific degree in Ecology, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture (Bachelor, Master or PhD)
• Proven registration activities experience
• Project management experience
• Proven relationship management capabilities
• Proven cross-functional working capabilities
• Proven experience in providing solutions to complex issues
• Proven communication, negotiation, influencing and analytical capabilities
   

Critical knowledge

• Expert knowledge on PPP legislation and PPP authorization in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana and at EU level
• Knowledge of the technical disciplines related to PPP registration; toxicology, product residues, environment fate and ecotoxicology at a general level
• General understanding of agriculture and horticulture business
• Deliver value adding solutions to the business in countries of responsibility
• Effective collaboration within the regulatory team
• Internal & external networking
• High attention to detail whilst keeping the overview

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Capability to work in highly structured and independent manner
• Excellent administrative skills (attention to detail whilst maintaining the overview)
• Excellent project management capabilities
• Analytical and strategic thinker
• Ability to act in a trustworthy and responsible manner
• Ability to multi task on different levels
• Networking capabilities to effectively build and maintain a solid internal and external network
• Team player
• Decisive
• Ability to prioritize and deliver goals on time

Critical leadership capabilities

• Links overall (+ AME BU) strategy to the BA commercial strategy
• Sets and communicates a clear vision of desired regulatory strategy
• Highly effective in a variety of communication settings: executives, direct reports, peers, clients and authorities
• Gains commitment of key reports and stakeholders in a compelling way
• Encourages others to explore the positive aspects of embracing the change while listening and addressing concerns by aligning both hearts and minds
• Demonstrates patience for ambiguity and responds with flexibility to new/changed situations
• Links individual efforts to bigger picture strategy and does not micromanage
• Ensures high quality of delivery by direct reports
• Actively monitors direct reports’ performance and provides timely feedback on progress
• Sets clear objectives and goals
• Supports development of direct reports and searches for learning opportunities across the organization
• Conducts development discussions and compelling development plans
• Coaches to release creativity and innovation
• Coaches people to connect across functions and boundaries
• Builds a network of colleagues in department and in other departments.

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.