Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to one purpose: bringing plant potential to life. We contribute to addressing some of the planet’s most critical issues such as the rising demand for food from a growing population. Working for Syngenta offers you the opportunity to play a part in addressing one of the most urgent challenges facing global agriculture today where we need to feed 200,000 more people every day.

Come be part of our good growth plan: one planet, six commitments: Make crops more efficient, rescue more farmland and help biodiversity flourish; empower smallholders, help people stay safe and look after each worker.

Our work matters.

There has never been a better time to join Syngenta!

Role purpose

The breeder develops new watermelon varieties and improves existing varieties. The breeder is contributing to the realization of breeding or technology projects by means of research, resulting in improvements and innovations of the Syngenta Seeds products within the framework of specifications. This must result in marketable varieties of Watermelon.

Accountabilities:

• Maintain a product development portfolio in line with market requests and business planning
• Identify new opportunities (input & output traits) in the market
• Planning and control of projects in portfolio
• Carry out own new product development projects
• Secure efficient facility support for projects
• Organize prototype testing in the market
• Facilitate transfer of products (5 to 6) to production & marketing department
• Scouting new technologies/opportunities/germplasm
• Implement new – and apply supporting technologies in breeding program
• Assist in development of IP position
• Establish good relationships with operational departments

Qualifications

Critical knowledge:

• PhD or M.S. in plant science, with emphasis on breeding and genetics.
• Good understanding of new product/process implementation in commercial environment
• Knowledge of phyto pathology, plant physiology, crop management and new technologies

Critical experience:

• Proven success with product development projects in breeding
• Three to four years experience preferred with M.S. degree, up to two years experience with a PhD.

Critical Success Factors & Key Challenges:

• Advancement and introduction of new products: Secure delivery of a pipeline of products in PLC 5/6 that conform to the requested product profile. Work with the Biological Assessment team to push new varieties through the Product Evaluation system to the market place.
• Selection and evaluation during targeted production cycles
• Program organization and documentation * Implementation of technology for efficiency gains

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

• Leading expertise in relevant area
• Good communicator within academic as well as business environment
• Keen eye for innovations
• Good sense of economics of new processes and products
• Flexible with regard to international character of the job (e.g. traveling)
• Both an independent and team worker
• Ability to speak Spanish helpful

Critical leadership capabilities:

• Customer-focused
• Innovative
• Decisive
• Communicative
• Trusted 
• Team-oriented
• Results-oriented

Additional Information:

• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.
• Frequent domestic and occasional international travel expected
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Ensure in its respective area of responsibility and in close cooperation and alignment with Legal and Taxes and other expert functions, Syngenta's full compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework as well as Syngenta's own legal and ethical, HSE, Corporate Security, Risk Management and Corporate Governance standards.

Job Location: Woodland, CA

Application

http://jobs.syngenta.com/job/Woodland-Breeding-Project-Lead-Watermelon-%28Woodland%2C-CA%29-Job-CA-95695/308963100/