TE Regulated Trait Introgression Group Lead

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. 

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.  

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. 

The TE Regulated Trait Introgression (TI) Group Lead will oversee regulated conversion operations for corn and soybean traits, managing the pipeline from early development through handoff to the global traits program for GxT assessment and to temperate and tropical hubs for pre-commercial and commercial trait deployment. Leading a team of research associates, this role will manage the Slater, IA Traits R&D site operations, including grow houses and labs, while developing protocols to ensure quality-driven, timely trait conversions. The position includes functional planning responsibility for soybean conversions in Illinois, piloting innovative practices to enhance Trait Evaluation timelines, conversion quality, and seed delivery processes. Working collaboratively with Trait Evaluation, Applied Genetics, and Data Analytics Scientists, the Regulated TI Lead will implement cutting-edge data analytics, operational protocols, and phenotyping techniques to drive continuous improvement in trait conversion delivery and efficiency.

PLEASE NOTE -- Candidates must be already located in the United States and not require visa sponsorship now or in the future (Includes OPT).  This position is 100% onsite in Slater, IA

• Accountable for delivering the Regulated Corn and Soybean TI pipeline according to defined deadlines, conditions, and high-level overarching protocols. Lead, coach, and develop highly skilled team members including research associates, engineers, and scientists. Develop site-specific protocols and procedures as well as a QMS (quality management system) culture to ensure the highest seed quality and timely delivery.
• Responsible for effective functional planning of Regulated Corn and Soybean TI projects in the TE function to ensure efficient operations (e.g., workload prioritization and space utilization), capital planning, and delivery. Identify key productivity savings by challenging current protocols and processes targeting improvements in capacity and handoff timelines.
• Owns and maintains the comprehensive marker list(s) required for trait introgression, ensuring delivery of high-quality conversions that meet established protocol standards and quality metrics.
• Accountable for maintaining seed quality and availability for standard recurrent parent genetics used for TE and PS conversions.
• Proactively identifies marker gaps in conversion programs, drives strategic development of new markers, and leads cross-functional collaboration with genotyping teams to strengthen the marker toolkit for achieving conversion quality.
• Leads the analytical assessment of marker data across recombinant populations, providing data-driven recommendations for optimal crossing decisions to maximize conversion efficiency and genetic gain in the introgression program.
• Implement OpEx principles, metrics, and KPIs monitoring system to continuously track and improve the end-to-end TI process, promoting a culture of continuous improvement among all employees at the Nampa site.
• Implement best IPM (integrated pest management) practices and nutrition programs to deliver high quality seed as well as to ensure proper workers protection standards (WPS) compliance.
• Forecast resources needed to execute the workload including permanent and third-party staff, inventories, and necessary employees training. Responsible for the proper management of budget and budget forecast in accordance with company guides.
• Accelerate key product concepts of critical traits by reducing time to market and adding genetic gain based on new analytics and experimental designs. In collaboration with Data Analytics, Data Scientists, and Applied Genetics teams, deploy new experimental designs, molecular marker strategies, and novel algorithms to advance materials through the regulated corn TI Pipeline, ultimately expediting product commercialization.
• Follow all stewardship and regulatory guidelines for new product launches and trialing requirements. Serve as a key contact with breeding, product placement, and commercial teams regarding proposed new product launch timelines and feasibility.
• Manage operations and facilities to comply with all Syngenta HSE and Stewardship standards to foster a safety culture among all employees.

• Bachelor’s degree minimum, Master’s or PhD preferred, in agronomy, plant sciences, horticulture, or related field.
• Ten plus years’ research and development experience in plant molecular breeding, controlled environments, germplasm management, and/or trait introgression with corn.
• Experience in TI in a field environment and/or controlled environment. Knowledge of GM trait conversion and respective testing in corn, soybean, or other relevant commercial crops.
• Must adhere to all company, state and governmental stewardship and regulatory requirements to maintain our freedom to operate (FTO).
• Project management experience and demonstrated ability to deliver data analysis and meet timelines for results from promotion/advancement.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage complex projects and effectively lead interdisciplinary teams to accomplish project goals.

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.  
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. 
Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 

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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