Crop Planning and Optimization Specialist

Purpose of the Role

As the Regional Crop Planning and Optimization Specialist, you will be part of the research and development team and create and maintain a balanced Seed Development Crop supply plan across a defined group of assets to optimise customer service, cost, and site performance, whilst managing uncertainty and risk.

You will establish a network across which you facilitate smooth partnerships and interfaces to proactively manage all planning related issues for your crop and region, anticipating constraints and working with supply and demand owners to develop scenarios to minimise risks. Crops you may work with: Corn, Cereals and Sunflower.

Key Responsibilities

We all have a critical role to play and add value. Here is how this role will help:

• Maintain the end-to-end (summer and winter season) overall supply/demand balance over a 2-year tactical horizon through the creation of supply plans which balance customer service, cost and site functional capacities (including Trait Introgression, Doubled Haploid, Genotyping, Nursery and Trialing activities)
• Present data with key planning insights annually and drive feasibility discussion for the crops you support, with strong partnership with finance for budget building
• Act as the primary contact for all Crop Supply Plan enquiries from the Portfolio team, site managers, and other key stakeholders, managing amendments / imbalances in the plans caused by forecast changes and/or production problems to preserve the original customer promise date
• Work with the Market Segment Teams, Traits, Nursery & Trialing teams to manage any demand / supply changes via agreed change control process to ensure implications of changes are understood before decisions are made
• Act as the key contact for all planning related issues associated with that crop, leveraging the agreed governance model as required and ensuring approval by stakeholders, especially if needed additional resources
• Anticipate future supply constraints and develop scenarios for their resolution
• Work with the Portfolio and Business Operations team and local site/functional managers to optimize site assets and resources
• Ensure operational planning master data is accurate in the planning systems to help facilitate accurate plans
• Measure, track, improve and communicate crop performance via the tiered meeting structure and through globally consistent & aligned Operational KPI’s, including tracking of trialing writing
• Active participation in the Planning Community of Practice to share ideas and drive continuous improvement mindset.

At Syngenta we are highly people focused – we look for professionals who are engaged, collaborative and excellent in execution. Leaders are expected to communicate effectively, develop teams and lead by example. Our industry and our function are changing rapidly so we are looking for new team members with a strong desire to develop themselves.

• Bachelor’s Degree is required
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the agriculture industry
• Strong data science capabilities, with a demonstrated understanding of complex data analysis in a global R&D
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and operate “fit for purpose” processes and tools, such as excel, Power BI and Smartsheet
• Experience / deep understanding of breeding pipelines and processes. Ideally in corn and or cereals
• Experience / deep understanding of Seeds Development operational activities
• Experience building or managing budgets is desirable
• Experience working in international and multidisciplinary project team environments
• Excellent Communication skills in English is a must and and other relevant language (French and German) knowledge is a great asset
• Proven track record of planning and influencing key stakeholders across business-critical activities
• Demonstrated ability to deliver under pressure while working through ambiguous projects
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, often under tight deadlines.

What we offer:

• Dynamic and international team with great atmosphere
• Possibilities to learn and grow
• High quality office environment
• Hybrid work (office and home) 

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.

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