Role Purpose
- The purpose of the Breeding Project Lead is to plan, manage and support the delivery of projects aimed at improving the performance of Syngenta’s germplasm.
- Effective management and delivery of these projects results in the development of competitive hybrids that give rise to superior performing products at the customer level.
Accountability
Working in a team environment, manage and deliver breeding projects in service of identified product targets:
- Provide leadership to a corn breeding project team.
- Manage project budget, team charter, and team meetings.
- Responsible for the Stage 0 to 4 work stream within the project.
Manage breeding pipeline from product concept through genetic entity development by leading a portion or all of the following activities:
- Plan breeding crosses and associated testing for populations.
- Plan and allocate allotted nursery, crossing and replicated trial resources in mainland and contra season location(s).
- Determine number of breeding starts, extensiveness of sampling and number of reps and environment of testing.
- Make selections and advancement decisions through to product handoff to Product Evaluation scientists (PEA).
- Work with PEA(s) to successfully test and advance lines to Stage 5, 6, and 7.
- Measure and monitor key performance factors relative to pipeline performance and program efficiency.
- Leverage performance metrics and benchmarking to work towards maximum efficiency of germplasm improvement (genetic gain and cost).
- Ensure appropriate technology integration in germplasm improvement projects and product development processes.
- Working with a Genetic Project Lead (GPL), plan, evaluate and implement, where appropriate, marker-assisted breeding (MAB).
- Plan and ensure that appropriate trialing, phenotyping and analysis methods are used to enable program success.
- Participate in global sharing of information on breeding protocol improvement.
Together with Product Evaluation scientists, agree on line promotions for post-BPL trialing:
- Maintain a thorough understanding of available germplasm, performance and needs of similar Germplasm pools within Syngenta’s programs.
- Participate in all appropriate plot tours and advancement meetings.
- Attend international plot tours and advancement meetings as appropriate.
- Coordinate exchange of germplasm within Syngenta’s programs.
- Assist PEA and Product Managers with decisions on product advancement, placement and support of all brands / market channels.
- Work with Nursery Services Manager to provide feedback that allows continuous improvement in plot quality and testing efficiency.
- Partner in development and implementation of Native Trait & Molecular Breeding efforts
- Participate as a core team member on Native Trait project(s). Collaborate in the design and implementation of projects in the Native Trait and genetic information creation.
- Engage in the development and implementation of breeding approaches that optimize R&D productivity through effective development and use of enhanced breeding approaches such as Molecular Breeding, etc.
Qualifications
Critical Knowledge:
- A thorough knowledge of breeding theory (genetics, statistics, genetic gain theory and field plot technique).
- A thorough knowledge of relevant germplasm.
- Good knowledge of marker applications to breeding.
Critical Skills:
- Excellent organization, communication and computer skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, especially those required to successfully function as part of a cross-functional team.
- Ability to show leadership and influence in a project-team setting.
- Proficiency in English.
Critical Experience:
- PhD or Master Degree in plant breeding.
- Additional Information:
- Ability and willingness for extensive travel, both regionally and globally.
- Operate in a team setting.
- Successfully function both as a team leader and a team member.
How to Apply
Submit your CV and application on company website: