Vegetable R&D Trialing Scientist

We are currently hiring a Vegetable R&D Trialing Specialist at our Jacksonville, FL site who will:

• Manage R&D trialing activities for vegetable crops, with a focus on Cucurbits crops (mainly Watermelon, Squash, and Melon) for Florida and Georgia, as prioritized by the Market Segment Team (MS Team) to drive excellence in on/off site trialing.   
• Be a high impact team member with Market Segment Leads (MSL), Germplasm Development Scientists (GDS), Product Development Specialists (PDS), and Regional Portfolio Managers.
• Develop deep knowledge of vegetable crops and regional markets, build an industry best network of customer-focused collaborations, and translate customer needs into recommended technical solutions for crop production and consumer satisfaction.   
• Successful delivery of the role will result in high quality trials, implementing trial design aligned with key markets and customers, high quality data collection and data analysis that will enable data-based product advancement decisions in conjunction with product development specialist, Marketing and Technical Support.
• Product Placement Scientist (PPS) are the key technical contributors to variety promotion from R&D to the Pre-commercial level by providing data, focusing on enabling optimal product placement of new varieties aligned with prioritized customer needs.
• PPS provide data for the Market Segment (MS) advancement and positioning process and technical positioning proposals for our new vegetables seeds products.

Accountabilities

• Manage on/off site trialing and deliver quality data to support product advancement decisions.
• Key contributor to advancement decisions and launch strategy based on variety performance and other technical data metrics at Market Segment level in her/his/their crops
• Work with the MSL and GDS in making a yearly plan for assessment trials including budget
• Organize external (off-station) trials with growers in their crops as planned in trial planning tool and on the way of working as described in trial protocol.
• Organize internal (on-station) trials with station managers in their crops as planned in trial planning tool and on the way of working as described in trial protocol.
• Prepare and negotiate contracts with growers for trials based on standard Syngenta agreement.
• Grower-field and/or greenhouse-selection for trial in line with targeted customer segment and general trialing needs (uniformity, soil, consistency).
• Executes trials according to trialing plan by manage sowing, planting, harvest to prevent mixture and provide correct material labelling and visits the trials at critical points of growing season.
• Collect data in the field during planting, growing and harvest, including yield evaluation, according to trial protocol and GDS team’s needs.
• Provide data set and analysis on the performance of materials from all trials and make good overviews about the hybrids for their positioning in certain markets (country level) compared to competitive checks.
• Secure availability of Syngenta products and commercial seed checks following internal compliance rules for trialing.
• Use of proprietary and commercial databases and systems to plan trials, collect, manage, analyze, and visualize data.
• Organize and lead successful Product Advancement Tours (PAT) with GDS, MSL, PDS, Portfolio Managers and local Sales Representatives to present trials and new product candidates.
• Support early-stage trialing activities under the responsibility of Germplasm Development Scientists or Trait Development Leads.
• Provides information for technical variety promotion leaflets for marketing and fill relevant information in relevant databases.
• Maintain good contacts with the distributors/growers/traders with the objective to understand customer needs & practices. Use this information to improve trials and trialing plan.  Feed relevant information to GDS teams and MS teams.
• Make evaluations of trialing locations (price, quality, risks) according to protocol, implement subsequent improvements.
• In collaboration with the commercial organization, establish On-Farm collaborations with key customers to create a customer centric culture, and to deliver solutions to our customers faster by exchanging data and information.
• Follow Biosafety, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), compliance and ethics, and the quality system requirements according to Syngenta internal standards
• Contribute to achieving the company sustainability targets.
• Work within the Syngenta Seeds Vegetables matrix organization, with focus on collaborating with and supporting Product Development and Sales/Marketing teams within a Market Segment and/or geography.
• Work with the PDS team to establish a network of growers, and together with them perform high quality trials of vegetable seed varieties.
• Be an owner and efficient steward of available resources.
• Good health state to stand hard work conditions (hot, cold, humid).
• A flexible and agile attitude; thriving in a dynamic environment, quick adaptation to new situations and requests.
• Open mindset in case of disagreement.
• Feel part of and responsible for the success of Syngenta Seeds

Critical experience required for the job:

• Knowledge of agronomy and growing techniques
• Experience in experimental design, trial placement, and data analysis.
• Experience in plant variety trialing, preferably in vegetable crops
• Experience in agricultural technologies and applications for crop production
• Experience in working with growers and related companies or functions in the vegetable production or value chain.
• Understanding the vegetable market and crop specifications.
• Basic understanding of plant breeding principles.
• Basic understanding of modeling.
• Willingness to travel frequently (domestic/abroad)
• Ability to life 50lbs
• Ability and willingness to work in an environment that can be dirty, humid, and buggy.
• Experience working in international work environment is a plus
• Experience in making public presentations is a plus

Critical knowledge and education required for the job:

• MS in Horticulture, Agriculture, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics or 3 to 5 years work experience in a related field with relevant crop and field work.
• Relevant knowledge about plant genetics and breeding.
• Knowledge about crop trialing design and theory, principles of statistical data analysis
• Proficient in English (verbally and in writing)

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Salary range: $65,600-$82,000
• Paid Vacation, 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 28,000 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. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.