Sustainable Farming Business Development Lead

Sustainable Farming Business Development Lead (m/f/d)

Our agricultural industry is evolving and within the Sustainable Farming team, we strongly believe it is critical we ensure agriculture is part of the solution to climate change, while providing safe, healthy and affordable food to a growing world population. Therefore, we are defining our role within regenerative agriculture to increase yields sustainably, produce crops with lower impact and protect soils for long term productivity so we can tackle both food security and climate change.

To help the team bring new products and services that advance sustainable farming in EAME, we are looking for a Sustainable Farming Business Development Lead (m/f/d) that will help growers adopt sustainable, regenerative agriculture practices while deriving new revenue and business models for Syngenta. In this role, you will lead business case development and investment modelling for Regenerative Agriculture (eg soil health, biodiversity, Integrated Crop Management and precision application). You will also develop a clear understanding on the Sustainable Farming/Regen Ag markets in EAME. You will identify customer and user needs related to Regenerative Agriculture as well as advise and help EAME’s commercial business units respond to those market needs in the establishment of new business models and go-to-market approaches.

Location is flexible over Europe where Syngenta has legal entities - preferred Iberia, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary or Poland.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the development of business cases / business models / target operating models (with finance support where needed) to deliver increasing revenue and profits from sustainable farming offers and services (alongside the existing CP business)
• Scan the market for soil health, biodiversity, Integrated Crop Management, precision application collaborations, partnerships, acquisition opportunities according to strategic and technical fit
• Contribute to EAME region success through developing and executing a Sustainable Farming commercial strategy
• Aid BUs in expanding their grower offers through strong influencing and leadership of the opportunities. Help identify and position Syngenta to new segments of customers with regards to their Sustainable Farming needs 
• Influence and support technical experts in the Sustainable Farming Team by providing commercial acumen and input to develop sustainable farming trials and hypothesis testing towards a positive commercial outcome.
• Working closely with the EAME Head of Soil Health Services, lead the cross-functional Soil Health Steerco to determine priorities, monitor progress and inform stakeholders of all EAME activities in developing our soil health portfolio.
• Contribute to building sustainable farming / regen ag capabilities within our customer facing teams
• Identify budget required for SYT to develop and deliver each new offer and service from initial testing, piloting and scale-up.

What are we looking for:

• Proven experience in Sustainable Farming / crop agronomy knowledge – min. 8 years’ experience
• Marketing / Commercial Excellence experience, understanding of how to develop and deliver successful business models
• Good understanding of regenerative agriculture principles as well as EU and non-EU sustainable farming support programs
• Entrepreneurial business acumen
• Track record of building or scaling successful products or enterprises
• Knowledge of change methodology to lead the continuous improvement
• Fluent in English; knowledge of another major European language is an advantage
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Excellent organizational skills and knowledge of project management
• Ability to cope with ambiguity and align various interests towards a common goal

What we offer:

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment 
• Flexible working arrangements and environment with an open culture and diverse workforce 
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and a wide range of training options

Interested? We look forward to receiving your online application including all relevant documents (cover letter, CV, diploma, certificates) – reference number 15050250.

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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.

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.