Product Biologist Row Crops at Syngenta

Job Description
ROLE PURPOSE 

• Manage and lead the development of new and existing products that could result in successful marketing and sales of profitable products on row crops relevant for South Africa. 
• Lead Product Development projects in South Africa, and coordinate and implement the project portfolio within the BA relevant to row crops.
• Support technical positioning within the BA for input into the BA portfolio process and facilitate technical exchange within and between technical support functions in the BA.
• Ensure all elements of the biological part of projects, from profiling, registration and technical launch platform building are well covered to deliver competitive products and technical knowledge according to business needs relevant to row crops.
• Support and identify new technical opportunities for technical launch platforms to contribute sustainable CP portfolio
• Support BA Portfolio Leadership Team and establish an effective network to drive input into the product development process and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Main objective of role is to support LEX protocol development of new NPIs in collaboration with AME PB to refine protocols according to BA requirements 
• Product and crop specialist for specific LEXs for South Africa with support from Senior Technical Field Scientists (STFS), Technical Leads (TL) and Data Manager
• Plan CP projects regarding LEX development of relevant projects in BA (BioPlan and Portfolio meeting)
• Participate in GAP definition and solution development for BA through understanding of the relevant crop market evolution and competitor environment with support from TLs and STFS
• Protocol ownership in Biodesign for relevant crop LEX protocols with support from STFS and Data Manager
• Ensure that the BA technical and regulatory needs/views are fully factored into AME Development Projects from the outset with support from STFS, Data Manager and CPD Regulatory Specialist
• Engage at BA level as the product and crop specialist to support technical business partners and Portfolio Leadership Teams (PLT).
• Represent South Africa in Project Development and Leadership Teams, e.g. AMEA and AME PLT’s, BUPT
• Accountable to develop tailor-made launch plans for BA with strong support from relevant TL and Campaign Leads and where relevant support technical platforms to increase awareness and unique selling points of products
• Support TLs, STFS and Regulatory with aspects like training, recommendations, technical leaflets, data, etc. when required  
• Foster Technical networking with AME Product Biology 
• Reporting and communication of CPD results to role players within the BA
• Provide complete transparency of trial plans in relevant systems with alignment from CPD Head Data Manager and STFS
• Keep abreast of developments and trends in specific fields of expertise
• Support with development of registration documents to compile biological reports and draft labels to comply with registration requirements with strong support from CPD Data Manager, CPD Regulatory specialist and Regulatory team
• Ensure that all operations under direct control comply with Syngenta Health, Safety & Environmental policies, and guidelines as well as any other relevant Syngenta or statutory policies

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Critical Knowledge
• Preferable 5 years’ experience in Agricultural sector
• Agronomist/Crop protection experience with strong technical background 
• Good understanding of technical and market aspects in South Africa
• In-depth knowledge of the technical properties of Syngenta and competitor products and associated technologies
• Understand trialling, protocol design and statistical analysis
• Leadership and Teamwork in a multicultural environment

Critical Skills

• Excellent networking capabilities
• Strong technical communication
• Strong verbal and written English 
• Results driven
• Application and evaluation methodology
• Planning and organizing
• Adaptability and flexibility 
• Self-starter

Critical Experience

• Experience in the implementation, management and analysis of field trials 
• Experience in managing development projects 
• Preferably a M.Sc. degree or equivalent with at least 5 years’ experience in crop protection or related field
• Proven track record in a research/development environment
• Experience in practical field execution of trial work
• Innovative mindset  

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AND KEY CHALLENGES  

• Decisive and timely decision making with authority 
• Ability to provide technical strategic input. 
• Ability to deliver outputs working across a complex range of interfaces
• Ability to maintain standards and technical integrity
• Close interfaces with BA Project, Marketing and Portfolio teams, to keep market intimacy and to develop an effective network
• Ensure biological elements of projects are according to GAP and positioning in country and are delivered on time and efficiently
• Good knowledge of products, diseases, pests, nematodes, weeds and crops.
• Good knowledge of agricultural practices and crop protection 
• Key Relationships
• AME Product Biology
• BA Marketing
• BA Technical Leads, Data Manager and Senior Technical Field Scientists to ensure correct product development procedures