Senior Research Platform Lead - Trialling Operations

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Company Description

Syngenta is a leading science-based agritech company; dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 100 countries work together to solve one of humanity's most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture

Jealott's Hill International Research Centre is situated in pleasant semi-rural surroundings between Bracknell and Maidenhead and is the place of work for approximately 800 Syngenta scientists and support staff. Jealott's Hill is one of the main global research and development sites and key activities include discovery and research of novel chemical active ingredients, biocontrol products, formulation technologies, with related product safety and technical support of our product range and seeds research.

Job Description

Role Purpose:

• The Research Platform Lead manages the Trialling Operations team in Technical Support. Ensuring tests are carried out and maintained to high standards to produce high quality data. Line manages a team of three Research Associates. Manage the daily work of the same group of staff (core Trialling Ops team) to ensure the SPS testing programme runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Look to enthuse each team member and proactively seek opportunities to further develop their skills and capabilities.
• May have responsibility for specific project as glasshouse experimentalist.

Role profile and expectations:

• Manage the glasshouse testing capability for providing timely, robust and high-quality data to chemical projects. Be flexible regarding test planning, including trough, trolley or spray run numbers as test criteria shift to meet changing project objectives.
• Manage a team of up to three employees, set direction and motivate to ensure the highest level of performance in the core role
• Actively look for upskilling opportunities to expand team's knowledge and develop individuals skills and capabilities.
• Monitor bay space and ensure timely disposal of tests liaising closely with Experimentalists and Horticultural production.
• Proactively coordinate resource split with other teams within Weed control when required.
• Activity ensure team monitor pest and disease levels and take preventative and curative actions when necessary. Ensure cleanliness of bays, irrigation and other GH equipment.
• Monitor the experiments and address any quality issues observed by following up to identify and correct the root cause
• Liaise with Crop experimentalists to keep the SPS planning sheet up to date.
• Lead weekly SPS planning meetings and feedback any issues as appropriate.
• As glasshouse experimentalist take active responsibility for the execution, assessment, touring and reporting of allocated support programmes.
• Ensure team projects and task force initiatives occurring within your team are addressed and completed in a timely fashion.
• Lead project teams or task force teams.
• Ensure that own work and that of direct reports is conducted within Syngenta's policies and standards on quality and safety.

Qualifications

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

• A minimum of 3 years experience in biology and/or weed control technology
• Relevant first degree and technical track record from sustained performance within weed control discipline. Management experience - a plus
• Good knowledge of the SPS platform
• Excellent people, interpersonal, organisational and communication skills
• Ability to make rational decisions by integrating a wide range and high volume of information
• Capable of working constructively and effectively within a multidiscipline project and/or team matrix environment
• Strong influencer of technical programmes of work
• Resilient under pressure, flexible
• Very good time management skills
• Lead projects that contribute towards improvements to processes
• Manages work and team with a limited degree of supervision. Good time management skills. Strong influencer

Additional Information

In return for your skills and knowledge Syngenta will offer:

• Competitive benefits package including opportunities for flexible working.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Interaction with external researchers and opportunities to represent Syngenta in research networks, collaborations and conferences.
• Great onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes.
• Campus environment based at Jealott's Hill located in the Berkshire countryside between Bracknell and Maidenhead.
• Great opportunities for personal and career development.
• A modern, stimulating and dynamic working environment which promotes diversity and inclusion, scientific excellence and collaboration.
• A job and responsibilities with purpose at state-of-the-art facilities within a world class R&D campus site.

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

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