Team Lead of Monocot Crops

Syngenta Group; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

401k with company match

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

Syngenta Seeds Field Crops in the United States seeks a senior science leader to drive GM/GE trait pipelines in maize and related crops. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, oversee greenhouse operations, and ensure regulatory and biosafety compliance while managing budgets and stakeholder relations.

The role demands a deep background in crop sciences and hands-on leadership to deliver innovative seed solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Qualifications

• PhD with 10+ years experience or MSc with 15+ years or BSc with 20+ years in crop sciences.
• Substantial experience in crop improvement, trait development, and seed production.
• Ability to plan activities across months and influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead timely GM/GE trait pipelines and milestones in controlled environments.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary early-stage projects with maize and soybean.
• Oversee year-round maize stock production for embryos to support transformation.
• Operate and upgrade plant growth facilities to meet needs.
• Ensure HSE, biosafety, regulatory compliance and budget controls.

Skills

Crop sciences

Trait development

Seed production

Team leadership

Project management

Education

PhD in Crop Sciences

MSc in Crop Sciences

BSc in Crop Sciences

Tools

Argus

MS Office

Databases

Greenhouse operations

Job description

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops,we'reshaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel.We’rea global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities.We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease,insect,weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.

Job Description

This role contributes to the development and execution of short-, mid-, and long-term functional strategies while providing scientific, technical, and product expertise to support team goals and key focus areas, particularly within monocot crops such as maize. The individual is responsible for initiating, evaluating, and implementing improvements to established processes and protocols to drive operational excellence and innovation. In addition, the role includes supervisory responsibilities, providing leadership to the team, effectively managing projects and stakeholder relationships, and influencing cross-functional teams both internally and externally. The position also ensures compliance with Syngenta's Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards, biosafety requirements, regulatory obligations, and budgetary controls to support safe, compliant, and efficient business operations.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the timely delivery of GM/GE trait pipelines, project goals and milestones in the controlled growth environments (greenhouses and growth chambers)
• Lead team activities to plan, coordinate and execute multi-disciplinary early-stage projects with major field crops such as maizeand soybean
• Lead year-round maize stock production for immature high-quality embryos to support transformation
• Operate and continuously upgrade state-of-the-art plant growth facility to meet evolving business needs
• Constantly improve existing pipeline processes and procedures
• Have the foresight to propose and lead innovation projects and think outside the box
• Effective communications and engagement with key stakeholders across a wide range of Traits R&D organization within and outside the company
• Provide high quality practical advice and judgments to others by applying broad knowledge and prior experience
• Syngenta HSE, biosafety and regulatory compliance
• Occasionally work over the weekends and holidays when needed

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in crop sciences; or a M.Sc. degree with a minimum of 15 years relevant experience in crop sciences; or a B.Sc. degree with a minimum of 20 years relevant experience in crop sciences
• Substantial experience in crop improvement, trait development, and seed production
• Able to plan and implement activities over a number of months
• Knowledge in agronomy, genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology, molecular biology, and statistics
• Working knowledge of greenhouse facility, equipment and operations

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with GM/GE regulated materials
• In-depth experience in responding to non-routine situations and to choose the best solution from a range of options
• Proficiency in use of standard Microsoft office software and databases
• Experience in leading and influencing staff, ability to deal with and influence cross functional teams
• Experience in supervising and coaching junior scientists
• Computer skills such as working with databases, environmental controls, and Microsoft Office
• Familiar with the environmental control and automation system such as Argus

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, 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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training,promotionor any other employment practices for reasons ofrace, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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