NA Corn North Market Segment Team Lead

About Us

Through leading innovations, we help farmers around the world meet the challenge of feeding a growing population and taking care of our planet. We are currently seeking a NA Corn North Market Segment Team Lead for the NA Corn Germplasm Development group in Stanton, MN. Other Syngenta locations may be considered.

Role purpose  The primary purpose of the North Market Segment Lead is to lead the North Germplasm Development team, consisting of Breeding Project Leads and Data Specialists, in the development of profitable and stable inbred lines and hybrid varieties of corn 78-102 RM. The team will be focused on implementing strategies that aid in the development of commercially successful lines and hybrids and ensure that all activities act to enhance genetic gain and the long-term success of the breeding program.

Accountabilities  •    Perform all tasks in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required training courses. •    Communicate effectively and regularly with peers and supervisors regarding status of projects and work activities, raise awareness of issues that could affect meeting project objectives and business goals. •    Develop awareness of market needs for commercial products throughout the North Market Segment area. Interact with Product Placement Scientist PPS colleagues and Sales/Commercial unit personnel to anticipate product performance gaps and contribute to a research plan to address these gaps. Engage in continuous learning to understand changing market needs. •    Develop networks with the Product Placement Scientists, Agronomy teams, Applied Genetics and other functions to create an end-to-end team effort to drive outcomes and deliver products. •    Lead the team in creation of diverse, high potential new breeding start populations and design selection efforts and criteria for line per se evaluations. •    Lead the team in designing tester strategies to effectively screen early-stage lines for General Combining Ability GCA potential.  •    Collaborate with PPS team on design of hybrid combinations to screen for Specific Combining Ability SCA and with Discovery Breeding on implementing and scaling new breeding tools and approaches. •    Implement marker breeding techniques and GWS strategies to improve breeding potential of early generation lines and selection of F1 breeding projects for doubled haploid DH induction. Use all available genotypic and phenotypic data to improve quality of selections and advancement decisions.  •    Communicate project plans and timing with relevant Operations and Trialing managers.  •    Utilize data collected by Seeds Production Research SPR, develop inbred lines that meet the minimum criteria set for male and female inbred characteristics.  •    Determine rates of genetic gain for different product pipelines in North Market segment through mining of phenotypic data.

Critical success factors & key challenges •    Proven ability to deliver new corn parent lines and hybrids through conventional plant breeding techniques, germplasm management, diversity analysis, experimental design, quantitative genetics, and statistical analysis including prediction theory.  •    Good understanding of the fundamentals of genome wide GW and marker assisted breeding approaches. Explore ways to implement these approaches to improve efficiency of breeding program.  •    Ability to work in a team-oriented atmosphere with strong communication skills. Ability to generate reports for other scientists to use in decision making.  •    Ability to use MS Office, with a strong focus on Excel, and other standard software.  •    Results oriented and driven to deliver commercially successful inbreds and hybrids to meet market segment targets. •    Excellent attention to detail, self-starting and a desire for continuous learning and personal development. •    Highly organized and able to manage complex processes and deliver results at agreed upon timelines. •    Adherence to all company, state and governmental stewardship and regulatory requirements to maintain our freedom to operate and an adherence to all safety regulations established by the company. •    Relentless focus on improving genetic gain. Implementation of new analysis approaches or field designs to assist with this improvement.  •    Ability to work with colleagues in other functions to improve breeding efficiencies, meet deadlines for trial writing and to help set and achieve breeding targets.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities Critical knowledge PhD with 5 years in plant breeding preferred in either a commercial or academic setting.  In-depth knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, statistics and field design, plant biology and marker breeding techniques including genome wide selection GWS. Critical experience Project management in a team-oriented atmosphere.  Background in two or more of the following areas: plant breeding, genetics, statistics, plant biology/pathology/botany, marker assisted breeding/GWS. Critical capabilities Collaboration across disciplines Ability to generate reports/charts/summary tables to communicate results and progress. Ability to lead and motivate others to high performance. Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Office and corporate software. Ability to effectively organize, manage and assign workload of multiple tasks in order to meet project goals and deadlines.   Ability to work independently with minimal day-today supervision. Adjust workload plans and resource allocations based on new direction in a changing environment. Ability to manage resources to achieve objectives and remain within budget. 

What We Offer: •    Full Benefit Package Medical, Dental & Vision that starts the same day you do •    401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution •    Open Vacation Policy with a minimum of 15 days of vacation and up to 30 days with manager approval, 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 Additional information • All candidates must be eligible to work in the US. • Regional travel within the United States required, especially during harvest period. Occasional international travel to winter nursery locations and in support of global germplasm exchange is possible.

Work Level:  5A Recruiter:  Michael Daniel    michael.daniel@syngenta.com ________________________________________ 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 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's EEOC

Employee Polygraph Protection Act EPPA

#LI-MD1

To apply please click on APPLY TO THIS POSITION