Seeds Production Research (SPR) Lead - India & Bangladesh

Role purpose

• Lead SPR IN and BD in field crops for seed production research to achieve competitive seed production through standardized processes, metrics, and organizational design. Strengthen the SPR database system.
• Provide planning yield targets for all stages of hybrid seed production, defining overall variability in crop plans and by hybrid.
• Conduct annual root cause analysis for variability, providing essential information to all related functions.
• Improve production efficiencies by developing sustainable systems that deliver increased yield, lower cost of goods produced, and achieve production cost-saving targets.
• Ensure production technology innovations in the seed and related industries are identified, tested, evaluated, and implemented if applicable.
• Coordinate with the processing team and data lead to ensure assigned projects are implemented properly.

Build a network to implement protocols, SOPs, and WIs that meet standards, including parent tests, micro pilot tests, process research, and pilot production.

Operational Responsibilities

• Develop annual KPIs and conduct mid-year and year-end reviews.
• Monitor and manage assigned CAPEX within budget and timelines to ensure suitable equipment is available on time.
• Develop and monitor SPR quick wins and long-term projects, ensuring alignment with priorities and resources through effective teamwork with adjacent functions.
• Manage resource conflicts and coordinate the annual budget and project processes.
• Ensure active participation with the processing team and establish effective working relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., Production, Planning, R&D, IS, and Finance)
• Set the direction for field crop production research activities by communicating and implementing a strategy that meets the needs of individual seed business units while leveraging the company's full scale. This strategy aligns with global and regional SPR objectives.
• Lead and provide essential data to support product advancement, crop planning yield, planting recommendations, and parent seed treatment recipes.
• Ensure planning and development of a 5-year rolling average for yield maintenance, measured by year, growing areas/plants, varieties/hybrids, stage plan, and segment (traits, genetics) for both dry and wet season production.
• Lead and improve supply reliability by ensuring the completion of standard deviation compared to the mean at the aggregated 5-year rolling average and absolute value 5-year rolling average. This is measured by year, growing areas/plants, varieties/hybrids, stage plan, and segment (traits, genetics) for both dry and wet season production.
• Drive improvements in production efficiencies, including density/row ratio optimization, fertility and pesticide management, hybrid planting recommendations, precision agriculture applications, and purity/trait management.
• Develop plans for current product quality outcomes by measuring an aggregate 5-year rolling average for genetic purity, physical purity, WT, and CT, segmented by year, growing areas/plants, varieties/hybrids, stage plan, and traits/genetics.
• Proactively identify potential production issues within the 5-year planning horizon and collaborate with key stakeholders to resolve them.
• Ensure implementation and execution of all SPR processes under Seeds Operation. Coordinate with plant processing and data leads to ensure target projects are properly implemented.
• Focus field production research and activities on continuous improvement in seed production yields and quality through effective management of field trial programs, production recipes, experiments, and projects based on timely and accurate data.
• Interface with R&D to ensure effective introduction of new products and product forms, and sponsor research projects that support improvements in seed production yield and quality.
• Collaborate with Syngenta Seed Enhancements to utilize new seed enhancing technologies for seed production.
• Support career development and succession planning, including strategic recruitment and development of key talents, while maintaining motivation and engagement within the function.
• Maintain awareness of competitive developments and key technology trends in the seed and related industries, ensuring innovations are identified, evaluated, and implemented.
• Ensure full HSE compliance and promote environmentally sustainable solutions across SPR in an BD.
• Interface with countries SPR lead, regional processing and data manager team and other functions for competitive seed production through the development of standardised processes, metrics, organisational design and individual competency.
• Lead the development of organizational capability to achieve state-of-the-art production technologies.
• Ensure the organizational setup is fully aligned with the needs of fast and effective strategy implementation by identifying the ideal structure, capabilities, and skills necessary to implement the strategy.
• Foster and facilitate communication, sharing, and teamwork not only within natural teams but also across functions and geographies.

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s leading sustainable agriculture innovation companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. Our 53,000 people across more than 100 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world’s most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Syngenta Group is committed to operating at the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is a commitment that we are making to investors, customers, society and employees. Syngenta Group is also Committed to maintaining a workplace environment free from discrimination and harassment

Critical knowledge

• University MS. degree in agriculture related field

Critical experience

• Seeds production technology preferably across a range of crops
• Development and implementation of country and regional strategies
• Leadership in teambuilding and managing change within a complex, matrix organization and across different functions
• Stakeholder influence and management
• Cross functional and multi-cultural project management

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Expert knowledge of seeds production technology
• Project/program management across functions
• Ability to catalyse transformation and change in the organisation
• Ability to influence
• Sound analytical and problem solving/ solid IT skills
• Balance drive for change with business operational agenda and readiness
• Good Communication skills with all levels of management and internal team
• Fluent in English