Operations Manager

ISU Research Park; Slater (MO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Syngenta is seeking an Operations Manager in Slater, IA to oversee seeds development operations including nursery, field production, seed processing, and distribution. You will drive excellence, ensure HSE and regulatory compliance, and lead transformation across the site.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong collaboration with breeders, Regulatory, HSE, and QA teams, and proven project management capabilities to meet tight timelines while maintaining quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations.
• Experience in seed production or plant breeding environments.
• Strong leadership and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end operations at the Slater site, aligned with NA Seeds Development goals.
• Drive cross-functional integration and improve workflow efficiency.
• Manage the site budget, including CapEx and OpEx.
• Lead talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Ensure site compliance with safety, regulatory, and corporate policies.
• Represent Slater operations in senior leadership meetings and partner with stakeholders.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and standardize processes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Project management

Team leadership

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy/Plant Science or related field

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 Operations & Trialing Team is seeking an Operations Manager in Slater, IA. This role will provide comprehensive leadership and strategic oversight of all Seeds Development operations in Slater, IA, encompassing nursery operations, farming systems, and seed logistics.

The Operations Manager drives integrated operational excellence in nurseries, field production, seed processing, and distribution, ensuring the highest quality standards, HSE, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices to support seed production for Syngenta.

Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership: Direct the execution of end-to-end operations at the Slater, IA site, ensuring alignment with North America Seeds Development objectives and business goals.


• Operational Excellence: Drive cross-functional integration and workflow efficiency to eliminate silos; monitor site KPIs to identify and implement corrective actions for continuous improvement.


• Financial Stewardship: Manage the overall site budget (CapEx and OpEx), ensuring cost optimization, resource investment, and financial accountability.


• Talent & Capability Building: Lead talent management, succession planning, and leadership development for direct reports while ensuring technical training delivery across all operational areas.


• Governance & Compliance: Ensure site-wide compliance with corporate policies, safety standards, and regulatory procedures; lead crisis management and business continuity planning.


• Strategic Influence: Represent Slater operations in senior leadership meetings and maintain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders (government, industry, and service providers).


• Leading Change: Lead organizational change initiatives and coordinate with regional/corporate functions to standardize processes and leverage best practices.

Qualifications

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding environments.

Demonstrated leadership capabilities in overseeing, motivating, and developing employees while effectively resolving conflicts, delegating responsibilities, and fostering collaborative relationships across nursery teams and other site functions.

Advanced project management capabilities to handle complex, overlapping activities with tight timelines while ensuring adherence to multiple operational, regulatory, and compliance protocols simultaneously.

Excellent collaboration abilities when working with varied teams, including breeders, Regulatory, HSE, and quality assurance groups, to achieve organizational objectives and maintain operational excellence.

Data Literacy: Ability to leverage metrics, KPIs, and analytics to identify operational trends and system bottlenecks.