Head Global Soybean Portfolio Management

Syngenta Group - Downers Grove, IL

Full-time - Senior

Downers Grove, IL

5,001-10,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The role of the Global Soybean Seed Business Leader at Syngenta Seeds is pivotal in providing strategic leadership aimed at achieving profitable market share growth for the global soybean seed business. This position is integral to the Global Strategy & Portfolio Management Team, where the leader will develop a comprehensive, multi-generational crop strategy that encompasses germplasm and trait packages, ensuring consistency across various regions while optimizing the use of regulatory resources. The leader will also be responsible for innovating business models that extend beyond traditional products, allowing Syngenta to engage with emerging global trends such as biofuels and alternative proteins. In this role, the leader will spearhead a cross-functional team that includes regional marketing, breeding, regulatory, and technical experts from R&D, as well as legal and finance teams. This collaboration is essential for formulating recommendations regarding crop strategy, priorities, and funding to the global strategy and portfolio team. The leader will facilitate input from regional crop leads to create a unified global strategy that directs research and development efforts for soybeans, focusing on biotechnology traits, germplasm, gene editing, and other innovative technologies. The position requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and competitive analysis, enabling the leader to prioritize focus areas in collaboration with R&D. The leader will also standardize the development and deployment of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to ensure a coherent multi-year strategy for germplasm and trait products. Furthermore, the role involves defining mechanisms for differentiation beyond the product itself, including establishing value chain partnerships and innovative business models that align with global mega-trends in oil and protein production. The leader will oversee the implementation of the crop business strategy across various functions and geographies, ensuring regional alignment with the TPP process and recommending new programs or the elimination of existing ones to the Global Strategic Portfolio Team for approval. Establishing forums and networks to support a holistic view of the soybean strategy will also be a key responsibility, alongside championing effective product lifecycle management planning.

Responsibilities

• Provides global strategic leadership for profitable market share growth for the global soybean seed business.
• Develops global, multi-generational crop strategy with commonality of trait packages to enable consistency across regions.
• Creates business model innovation to participate in global mega-trends of biofuels and alternative protein.
• Leads a cross-functional team to support the end-to-end seeds business and provide recommendations for crop strategy.
• Facilitates input from regional crop leads to create a global strategy for soybeans, including biotechnology traits and emerging technologies.
• Develops deep market and competitive analysis to prioritize focus areas in coordination with R&D.
• Standardizes the development and deployment of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for a focused product strategy.
• Defines mechanisms for differentiation beyond the product, including value chain partnerships.
• Ensures regional alignment and implementation of the TPP process.
• Recommends new programs or elimination of existing programs to the Global Strategic Portfolio Team for approval.
• Oversees the implementation of the crop business strategy across functions and geographies.
• Establishes forums and networks to drive a holistic crop view in support of the soybean strategy.
• Champions the creation and management of strong product lifecycle management planning.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of the seeds business including germplasm and biotech traits.
• Passion and understanding of agriculture, marketplace dynamics, and customer needs.
• Excellent creativity skills with a strong customer focus orientation.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including PowerPoint proficiency.
• Ability to collaborate across boundaries and solve problems effectively.
• Thorough understanding of key business drivers for profitable growth.
• Degree in Agriculture, Marketing, or Business.
• 15 years of sales or marketing experience, including team management.
• Experience in leading and developing a team of direct reports.
• Strong understanding of corn and soybeans end-to-end systems and sales management.
• Experience in developing and managing an annual budget.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in utilizing MaSE methodology.
• Strong grasp of financial metrics and analysis.
• High-functioning communication skills with senior leadership.

Benefits

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation, 9 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts.
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year.