Seeds Production Agronomist

Role purpose

• Demand creation by doing on-farm demo trials, collecting data and telling the Syngenta ‘story’ to more farmers.
• Gather internal knowledge about NPI’s with Technical Field Experts.

Accountabilities

• Be in charge of overall agronomic management of demonstration/trial site from planting to post harvest which includes planting, fertilizer application, weeding, spraying, trellising, pruning, field scouting, harvesting and post-harvest where applicable according to the set protocol.
• Provide up to date information to field experts on the crop development at different stages of production.
• Conduct data collection, compilation and reporting the Commercial Unit at the set required time points as provided for in the protocols guide.
• Effective liaison with sales colleagues, agents and farmers (by following the correct channel procedure) to ensure proper site selection and site management prior to, during and after the trial.
• Play an active role to maximize the purpose of each trial, i.e. data collection, in field product promotion with relevant parties as agreed with the technical field experts.
• During quieter periods of the year visit additional farmers (where demo’s hasn’t been done, and who is not yet using Syngenta products) and tell them the story of good demo results achieved on their neighbor’s fields.  Convince new clients without doing physical demos on their farms.  Safe Use training should be added.
• Regular feedback to the CU for potential market/trial opportunities during the monthly status report meetings.
• Keep abreast of market, trade and competitor activity in order to revise strategies to meet changing requirements.

Knowledge, Experience & Capabilities

Critical qualification

• MSc./ BSc. in Agronomy/ Horticulture BSc, in Agriculture/ horticulture or equivalent 
• Computer literate
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in related role.

Critical knowledge & Experience

• Excellent reporting and report writing skills
• Effective communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to provide agronomical advice
• Farmer, agent and colleague relations, group dynamics and coordination skills are fundamental
• Flexibility and ability to work under high pressure environment
• Strong time management and prioritization skills

Critical Leadership Skills

• Communicate with impact and confidence
• High integrity
• People management
• Team playing
• Drive performance and deliver results
• Strategic thinking and planning

Please note: This vacancy is based in Lutzville , Western Cape

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.