Seedcare Technical Lead

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta’s Seedcare Application & Sustainability Team is seeking a Seedcare Technical Lead in Lusaka, Zambia. This role will manage the Seedcare Institute (SCI) and lead applications stewardship and seed quality services to the seed industry and farmers.

Accountabilities:

• Manage the Seedcare Institute (SCI) Laboratory activities in the BA
• Build an SCI strategy to support the BA Seedcare 5-year plan ambition
• Ensure all customers are handled and serviced within accepted Syngenta policy and standards with the use of Salesforce.com
• Conduct small-scale seed treatments, design recipes for customers and monitor application quality based on SCI quality control (QC) tools and standards
• Provide tailor-made seed application services based on individual customer needs
• Train customers in application technology and trouble shoot on application problems at seed companies’ factories
• Co-ordinate on-farm seed treatments with CP Key Account Managers leveraging support from Seedcare Application Specialist and Seedcare Marketing Lead
• Champion and shape sustainability for Seedcare in BA and support Seedcare solutions demand creation by running successful demo trials
• Ensure effective liaison with CPD colleagues, agents and Key Account Managers to secure proper site selection and site management before, during and after the trial/s
• Conduct data collection, compilation and reporting to the Seedcare team at the set required time points as provided for in the protocols guide
• Participate in field days/expositions and industry events, execute product campaigns agreed upon with Seedcare Head for EASA and be an active member of the EASA Seedcare Team

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BSc degree in Agriculture/Agronomy or equivalent coupled with Production or Business Management
• A member of Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ)
• Minimum 5 years of working experience in the seed care business. 
• Significant background and/or knowledge in crop agronomy, seed processing or related field 
• Sound understanding of the seed industry, crop protection, Seedcare, and farm production (GAP)
• In depth understanding of the seed industry in Southern Africa
• Strong stakeholder management and training (inclusive of customers and farmers)

Additional Information