Specialist – Farm Mechanisation, APAC

Role purpose

Champions – evaluation, build and deployment of standard, scalable, fit for purpose mechanization and automation in station operations, facilitating evolution to future “Smart / Connected Farms”, while, keeping pace with technology cycles delivering productivity gains in APAC Seeds Product Development.

• Dimensions Business Impact:   Across Seeds Product Development
• Geographic Scope: APAC or a defined region.

Accountabilities (100%)

Strategic Leadership & Technology Foresight (50%)

• Represent, input in global “on farm” mechanisation and automation strategy development closely working with SDUs that is comprehensive on methodology, landscape with a clear regional implementation plan.
• Actively scout for relevant technologies, be abreast with innovation, thought leadership in their areas of accountability
• Contribute in development of a global framework that enables rapid upscaling / introduction of new technologies in field operations of SDUs adapted to local needs.
• Engage global nurseries, seeds development unit leads & operations as appropriate in co-owning capital plans, use cases, needs assessment resulting in larger stakeholder buy in, translating evolution towards “smart / connected” farms.

Process Management for business decision-making (30%)

• Input into development of a standard (CoP, SOP) deployment framework for Technology adoption and input into relevant BPO, process evolutions across various regions for Seeds Development Units supporting the generation of seed and data that drives business decisions.
• Interact with Seeds Development Units, Science Program Leads and System Integration Managers to develop and align on mid- and long-term business plans, technology process ownership and excellence in their implementation and delivery.
• Input into processes evolutions related to equipment & technology use and connect with relevant BPO for alignment.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvements (20%)

• Continuous improvements and innovation in delivery of Technologies, including improvements in HSE, cost-effectiveness, speed, accuracy and reliability working closely with operations team, assessing evolving needs.
• Participate in a global network of experts, common interest groups with relevant functions, e.g. SDU operations, PPT, etc. to coordinate key technology advancements and promote sharing of best practice while continue to drive standardization for machinery and other equipment.
• Promote sharing of best practice and continue to drive standardization for machinery and other equipment.
• Support training & development plan in the area of Farm Mechanization.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to accomplish project goals.
• Drive success in a dispersed organization and through influence.
• Ensure initiatives / projects delivery desirable results and outcomes sustaining deployment reflected through improvement of operational KPI’s, while nurturing a culture of innovation, co-creation. 
• Continuous improvement and development of technology offerings to customers in terms of quantity, quality, timing and user experience.
• Extensive working experience with Lean ways of working (WOW)/ Six Sigma-Kaisan methodology.
• Industrial automation programming experience would be useful.  

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical Knowledge

• Bachelors, Masters or PhD in Engineering or Agronomy or Plant Breeding or related Science
• Sound understating of agronomy, plant breeding, mechanical and embedded engineering, GPS, GIS environments and its AG domain applications.
• Basic to expert working knowledge of standard farm equipment’s and their manufacturers, automation concepts, process improvements and future trends.

Critical experience

• 8+ experience in agronomy, engineering, plant biology research, including experience in plant breeding and / or field research
• Demonstrated experience and skills in managing global projects in a large matrix organization.
• Experience in technical service delivery, proven record of building and leading dispersed teams
• Basic to expert working knowledge of R&D workflows and operations

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to plan and manage organizational change
• Ability to resolve work priorities against resource constraints
• Ability to effectively manage workload.
• Ability to think and plan strategically
• Ability to communicate clearly at all organizational levels

Critical leadership capabilities

Set direction

• Set ambitious strategic goals:  Prioritize actions and ensure appropriate support and resource
• Communicate inspirationally:  Gain commitment of key reports and stakeholders in a compelling way and help see how objectives are aligned to the company strategy and add value

Drive results

• Manage Performance to ensure high standards:  Skilfully plan, organize and monitor performance to meet deadlines.  Sense and adapt to the changing environment to achieve excellence in delivery
• Step beyond comfort zones:  Manage risk and able to work with uncertainty
• Focus energy on must-wins:  Make tough decisions

Liberate potential

• Develop self and others:  Coach People to excel by giving clear, direct and skilful feedback
• Coach to release creativity and innovation:  Coach people to connect across functions and boundaries to spark innovation

Additional information

• Up to 50% travel, including national and international

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.