Germplasm Development Lead Cucurbits - Americas

Company Description

Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 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. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

Please note that this position is 100% onsite with up to 20% travel in NA and globally

The Germplasm Development Lead Cucurbits crops Americas will support the NA and LATAM Watermelon and Squash germplasm development programs by leading and (further) developing a team of breeders for the defined crop and market segments. This leading role will focus on supporting and developing the members of the Germplasm Development Teams in the Americas. The job holder will play a key role in the connection with the NA & LATAM Market Segment Teams, Trait Development and Applied Genetics and is a member of the Cucurbit Germplasm Development Leadership Team and respective GCUs.

As the Germplasm Development Scientist for Seedless Watermelon will contribute to the development of inbred lines and hybrid varieties of Small and Medium Seedless Temperate Watermelon that meet the performance targets set by the Americas and EAME market segment team with input from the Breeding Trial Specialists (BTS) and the Cucurbits business unit. This will require participation of the GDS in nursery and hybrid testing related activities and the taking of ownership of areas in the breeding program where the GDS has been asked to take a lead position. The GDS will be focused on implementing strategies that aid in the development of commercially successful lines and hybrids and to ensure that all activities act to enhance genetic gain and the long-term success of the breeding program. Depending on experience and educational background, the GDS will be asked to bring and implement knowledge of marker breeding techniques and hybrid performance prediction theory to help the market segment team adopt these as new strategies for product development.

As Germplasm Development Lead

• Lead the Crop-Team project portfolio and maintain alignment with portfolio and business needs.
• Manage Americas Watermelon and Squash pipeline screening and advancement from PLC0-PLC5 transition. Collaborate to ensure that Crop-Team breeding effort is delivering a constantly strong pipeline, aligned with market need and company strategic breeding goals.
• Develop and manage budgets for Crop-Teams in collaboration with the PPP.
• Define and periodically review segmentation, market values, prioritization, targeted product profiles, benchmarks for NA Squash and WM country/region, including but not limited to project milestones and product delivery process.
• Lead the Squash and Watermelon Germplasm Development Team in the Americas will be based in USWD and lead teams in US, MX and BR in accordance with the Squash and Watermelon GD strategies.
• Foster the deployment of the Crop PVP/IP strategy within the Crop-Team. Support Manage PVP/ IP in collaboration with Germplasm Development Head
• Establish good relationships with Breeding teams and R&D departments, with Marketing and Product Selection and working relationship with Seeds Operations.
• Lead the Squash and Watermelon Germplasm Development Team Americas in setting and evaluation priorities, role modeling Syngenta value for HSE, compliance and ethics, informing the team on a regular basis on ongoing developments in Syngenta

As Germplasm Development scientist

• Develop awareness of market needs for commercial products throughout NA and EAME market segments areas. Interactions with BTS and product Development Specialist (PDS) colleagues to anticipate product performance gaps and contribute to a research plan to address these gaps. Continuous learning to understand changing market needs. Interaction with Sales/Commercial team to understand the nature of any product performance anomalies. Provide information to these groups to assist them with their decision-making processes.
• Collect field notes on agronomic traits on inbred and hybrid materials including pathology traits.
• Communicate project needs and issues with relevant Operations and trialing managers. Assist with nursery harvest and processing activities to improve quality of results.
• 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.
• Provide meaningful input on hybrid advancement decisions. Work with market segment teams to ensure appropriate selection criteria and target product profiles (TPP) are being applied.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with peers and supervisors about status of projects and work activities, raise awareness of issues that could affect meeting project objectives and business goals.
• Using analytic and data science tools, predictive models for product selection and genomic selection.
• Contribute to crop strategy and product profiles development in relation with market segment teams.
• Develop expertise in crop biology, germplasm, and critical trait priorities.
• Maintain and develop a product development portfolio in line with market segment requests and business planning, addressing short-, medium-, and long-term market segment needs.
• Responsible for a quantitative assessment of pipeline performance in alignment with market needs: Generate reports/tables/charts to highlight to other functions and management how product performance is measured over time or in comparison to check hybrids in a current growing season. Determine rates of genetic gain for different product pipelines in Market segments through mining of phenotypic data.
• Collaborate with Trait Development Leads and Genetic scientists to identify and develop marker-trait associations, innovative traits, germplasm management: Participate actively to discovery projects.
• Prepare nurseries and yield trial experiments: Design current and future resource plans with key stake holders. Responsible of nurseries and yield trial execution.
• Prepare varieties market introduction by using imputation and environment modelling to support best growing practices.
• Develop and deploy new breeding technologies and methods. Implement data driven decision in every part of the breeding program.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent research experience) in plant science, preferably breeding
• Proven experience in leading a team.
• Commercial breeding program processes. Knowledge of genetics, statistics, phytopathology, plant or crop physiology, molecular markers, and seed produce quality.
• Knowledge of phytopathology, plant physiology, quantitative genetics, statistics, crop management and new breeding technologies.
• Good knowledge of English language, oral and written. Command of Spanish or Portuguese preferred
• Proven success with product development projects in breeding.

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• Salary Range - $97,000- $139,000
• 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
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• Open Vacation Policy with a minimum of 15 days of vacation and up to 30 days with manager approval, 9 Paid Holidays

Work Level: 5B

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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