Head of Technical Crop Expertise (TCE) & Solution Development Manager, Vegetables for Africa-Middle East (AME)
Location: Basel, Switzerland
THE POSITION
The Head of TCE & Solution Development Manager Vegetables for the AME territory will lead the product development of the vegetables crop portfolio which includes seeds and crop protection. He/she will be the main point of reference for all technical product development aspects related to vegetables crops. His/her team consists out of 4 Technical Crop Experts (direct reports) plus 10 Technical Experts as indirect reports who are based within the territory. The sales revenue is generated in 20 countries and is equally divided in sales for vegetables seeds and crop protection products. The new incumbent will be challenged by the high level of complexity represented by the diversity of crops, cropping systems and climatically zones.
The Head of Solution Development Manager will report to the Head of Vegetables Crop AME. The position is based at the HQ of Syngenta in Basel.
ROLE PURPOSE
Technical and Solution Leadership
- Lead the development and application of specific crop solutions, Integrated Solutions or branded, and also serve as the gate-keeper of newly generated ideas/options initiated by Field Experts and others
- Identify, design, prepare and analyze agronomic studies on crop varieties that support Syngenta marketing objectives. Studies include product characterization, product interaction, technology validation, technology efficacy, and general agronomy
- As member of Vegetable Technical Expert platform contribute pro-actively to the delivery of strategic initiatives and objectives, growing the Vegetable business,
- Disseminate Vegetables knowledge through trainings
Field Development Lead
- Be the interface between the Territory and R&D on Vegetables.
- Own the Vegetables trialing process and plan, coordinate between TCE, Field Experts and R&D
- Together with his team of TCEs indirectly manage and technically validate the Field Experts activities related to Vegetables.
POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES
Technical and solution accountability
- Validate technical elements of Vegetables strategies at AME level (technical assumptions, technical stories including competitors)
- Be accountable for technical sign off of all Vegetables Campaigns, Technical Launch Platforms and crop level promotional material
- Systematic capture, evaluation and prioritization of solution ideas on all levels
- Propose and champion development projects aimed at providing new grower solutions
- Develop value proposition and business cases for new solutions to support Crop Marketing
- Provide technical support for local optimisation of solutions for grower needs
- Competitor technology analysis & 3rd-Party engagements
Field Development Lead
- Collaboration with the Head of R&D for AME and the AME Technical Lead to maximize technical footprint use for trialing, field days, launches
- Accountable for the AME Vegetables Trial Plan. Take responsibility for the setup, follow up, consolidation and analysis of trials for the whole Territory to build deep understanding of Syngenta solutions, to sharpen their positioning and maximize the impact of product launches
Head of Technical Crop Experts
- Setup and lead the Vegetables TCE to ensure that countries have access to local vegetables expertise and the Vegetables Portfolio Team gets first hand market, portfolio and trialing information
- Organize crop expertise through keeping oversight of all Vegetables agronomic support, training and coaching to the field experts, the sales force, key account managers, channel partners and growers.
- Build out the structures, processes and systems needed for marketing research/agronomy management, trialing in the Territory, jointly with the Head of R&D for AME and the AME Technical Lead
- Manage and technically validate (together with TCE´s) the Field Experts activities related to Vegetables.
- Establish the forums and networks required to drive a crop view in the marketing research/agronomy function
- Quickly build Integrated Solutions capabilities within the team of Technical Crop Experts in the Territory
CRITICAL EXPERIENCE
- 10 or more years of successful, hands-on experience in the Crop Production Industry (Crop Protection and related industry/sector) in the field of technical product development
- Degree in Agriculture, Biology, or similar supplemented with R&D experience as a plus
- Experience in a multinational environment preferred
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- Builds a culture of innovation
- Customer focus
- Manages for performance, result driven
TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES
- Understands market dynamics and competitive environment
- Understands customer needs
- Has deep and broad product knowledge, understanding of the main commercial drivers
- Anticipates changes in the market and adjusts strategies accordingly
- Influencing and negotiation skills, ability to integrate
- Ability to oversee operational resources and educate them where appropriate
- Travel availability 30%
We expect this position will attract strong candidates because of Syngenta’s leading position and strong commitment to invest into growth for the seeds and vegetable business.
The position requires a certain seniority as it is a key interface to provide continuity and effectiveness to the business.
The position provides a great opportunity to join a growing business in a strategic geography and with that a career opportunity to develop further in the global technical function or in the commercial crop teams.
Compensation
Base salary will be commensurate with experience, track record, and ability and competitive in the market.
A relocation package will be tailored to the successful candidate’s needs.
For consideration as a candidate or to suggest a prospective candidate, please contact in confidence:
Karl-Peter Schlichting
Managing Partner
Kincannon & Reed
+49 (Germany) (0)171 5466777
kpschlichting@krsearch.net
More positions from: Syngenta Agro AG Posted from January 21, 2014 until July 21, 2014 SeedQuest reference number: 44552 |