Head of Applied Data Science EAME (M/F)

Company Description

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world's largest companies for seed breeding and production; for farmers, producers, distributors, and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yield of crops. These high-quality seeds guarantee better, more productive crops; which is why farmers choose them. Selected seeds help mitigate the risks of diseases or drought and allow farmers to grow plants using less land, less water, in a less impactful way.

Syngenta Seeds provides farmers with more vigorous, stronger, and more resilient plants, notably innovative hybrid varieties and biotechnological crops that can thrive even in difficult growing conditions.

The headquarters of Syngenta Seeds is located in the United States.

Job Description

As the EAME Data Science Manager for seed development, and under the responsibility of the Head of EAME Field Crops Seeds Development, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our data strategy. Your mission is to spearhead data-driven innovation, overseeing crucial data management, deploying advanced data analysis, and implementing robust operational research capabilities.

Your efforts will be instrumental in improving decision-making processes for our seed development initiatives, covering Maize, Sunflower, Cereal, and WOSR (winter oilseed rape) activities, and contributing to the future of agriculture.

The job is offered on a permanent contract, based in France/Saint Sauveur (31), or in Germany/Bad Salzuflen, or in Hungary/Mezotur or Budapest, or in Italy/Casalmorano, or in Ukraine/Kiev, or in the United Kingdom/ Whittlesford.

Some business travel is necessary (mainly EAME, workshops, meetings, visits...).

Start date: as soon as possible.

Mission

Leadership in business applied data science: Oversee the overall data science and analysis strategy in large crop seed development for the EAME region and ensure seamless support to all functions by aligning their efforts to deliver value-driven results.

Innovation Catalyst: Drive innovative strategies and promote a transformative mindset, inspiring a culture shift that unlocks the full potential of data and analytics. Propel the organization to reach the objectives required to deliver the EAME region's large crop seed pipelines and the agronomy solutions of the future.

Leadership of a multidisciplinary team: Lead a dynamic team of genomic data scientists, phenotypic, and operational research engineers to leverage the power of data and technology to foster data-driven decision making. Define evaluation priorities, model Syngenta values, with an emphasis on people development.

End-to-end solution deployment: Identify challenges, facilitate ideation, define requirements, develop models and iteratively deploy solutions/tools via the delivery of MVP (minimum viable product). Successfully implement data-based solutions, including descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analyses for maize, oilseeds, and cereal crops in the EAME region.

Global cross collaboration: Work with Global/Global teams to meet regional needs by developing analysis-driven workflows. Ensure the organization scales better data-driven decision making following global best practices in data science.

Cross-functional alignment: Maintain close interaction and collaboration with the Global Analytics & Data Science, IT, and Portfolio teams. Ensures transparency, alignment, and implementation of new enterprise technologies and analytical methodologies. Provide clear mitigation strategies and transparency when alignment fails. Facilitate resource planning and capacity building for effective data science and analytical activities across the region.

Driving change: Drive change and integration within the applied data science team, creating a unified force that supports all EAME seed development operations. Be the driver of a harmonized approach to data-driven decision support.

Qualifications

PhD in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Crop Science, Data Science, Computer Science, or a relevant field, with over 10 years of experience in an international research and development environment, and at least 5 years of experience in the field of data science and the analytical space.

Successful experience within an international, multidisciplinary project team.

Experience managing and developing teams, talent in complex situations. Proven leadership skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to effectively achieve business results.

Strong analytical mindset and implementation of Agile project management, including planning, budget management, and operational excellence.

Proven ability to formulate project plans, analyze and interpret data. Ability to successfully work in a dynamic, fast-paced, and team-based environment. Manage multiple projects and priorities originating from different stakeholders, in different disciplines and cultures, and in different geographical areas.

Strong abilities to communicate with technical and non-technical audiences and to effectively work with all levels of management in a multicultural global organization.

Hands-on experience leading data science operations; a good understanding of plant breeding data and/or agronomy processes is a plus.

Professional English is required to work in our multicultural organization (meetings, emails, documents).

Syngenta is committed to Diversity. We encourage all applications regardless of social and cultural origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

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