Soy Trait Introgression Agronomy Lead

The North America Soy Trait Introgression Agronomy Lead (Soy TI-AL) will lead the agronomy component of the conversion pipeline at the new Malta, IL R&D site by driving consistency in plant health, integrated pest management (IPM), cycling time, and seed quality.  In addition, the Soy TI-AL will pilot adoption of innovative practices to drive continuous improvement in the trait introgression timelines, project and facility cost, conversion quality, and final seed hand-off. The NA Soy TI-AL collaborates with other Applied Genetics and Data Analytics Scientist to implement new operational protocols and phenotyping techniques for improved pipeline delivery.

This job is 100% at our onsite plant in Malta, IL. 

Accountabilities:

• Accountable for overall plant health in Malta Soy TI controlled environments including but not limited: environment control, fertilization, irrigation, photoperiod, and humidification. Develop new site-specific protocols and procedures to ensure the strict seed quality and timely delivery
• Identify key productivity savings by challenging existing protocols and processes targeting improvements in capacity, IPM, life cycle management and plant health
• Implement OpEx principles, metrics, and KPIs monitoring system to continuously track and improve the end-to-end TI process, promoting a culture of continuous improvement among all employees at the Malta site
• Implement best IPM (integrated pest management) practices and nutrition (fertilization) programs to deliver high quality seed as well as to ensure proper (WPS) workers protection standards compliance.
• Manage and train 3rd party staff, ensure all necessary employees training is followed and documented following best practice procedures
• In collaboration with Data Analytics and Data Scientists teams to deploy new experimental designs improving plant health or cycling times for advancing materials through the Soy TI Pipeline to assist in speeding up the commercialization of new products
• Follow all stewardship and regulatory guidelines for new product launches and trialing requirements.
• Ensure all tasks are completed efficiently, accurately, and in full compliance with USDA/EPA regulations and Syngenta’s Stewardship guidelines.

• BS Degree in agronomy, crop science, plant physiology, botany, or horticulture or 5 plus years of relevant commercial experience in managing controlled environments for row crops
• Experience with technology deployed in greenhouse, growth chambers, and/or controlled environments
• Clear understanding of the practices, protocols, and procedures that influence plant health and cycle time
• Understand modern agronomic practice including but not limited to lighting, fertilization, irrigation techniques, and IPM
• Demonstrated leadership experience, talent recruitment, strategy and personnel development, performance management and ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated outstanding communication skills
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams
• Ability to obtain a Chemical Applicators License

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

• Effective interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Coordinate and manage workload to complete objectives and tasks with very tight deadlines

Desirable

• Knowledge of soybean germplasm and their respective crossing methods is desirable
• Experience with monitoring KPIs and data through Power-BI or other visualization software is desirable
• Knowledge and experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and quality control

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-regional team environment.
• Ability to effectively manage workload during peak cycling times.

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Generous Vacation Policy plus 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)
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Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.