Production Technician

Company Description

Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 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.

Job Description

We invite you to help us shape the future of agriculture. At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the Soybean Seeds Production and Operations Team is currently seeking a Production Technician in Jefferson, IA.

At Syngenta, we strive to build collaborative teams with individuals that have a deep understanding of what it means to be part of a successful team. In the Agricultural Industry there will be extended working hours during time sensitive periods of the year. This is where the collaboration comes in. Every member of our team pitches in to help out in all areas to ensure that all seed is properly handled and tested so the highest quality seed will be packaged to meet sale demands. During these times, you may be requested to assist in any of the following areas: Laboratory Production, Plant Operations, Seed, and Field Agronomy activities.
Accountabilities

• Assist site Maintenance Lead in making repairs and improvements to plant equipment
• Foster an operational culture founded on adherence to all applicable HSE and other corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Assist in presentation of all safety training classes
• Monitor costs as necessary
• Supervise employees and third-party personnel as required
• Perform other duties as required to meet plant or site needs
• Actively support an image that reflects the highest regard for cleanliness and organization
• Balance KPI’s to meet the annual improvement objectives
• Work in Lab, bulk receiving, conditioning, treating, packaging, receiving, box wash, box repair or other areas to meet facility needs
• Provide leadership and overall seed quality expertise to lab, plant, and field activities
• Assist with monthly maintenance preventative maintenance and safety inspections
• Monitor and complete regular housekeeping as needed
• Set daily receiving schedule, call growers, line up seed vac and trucking needs each day 2-4 days in advance
• Calculate plant receiving raw seed usage and when receiving bin levels are to go empty to determine refilling
• Scale, probe trucks and complete required seed testing and inspections, enter data on receiving log based on work instructions
• Report to daily site tier meetings on the status of deliveries, filling bins and discuss changes as needed

Qualifications

• Must be High School graduate or have GED degree or equivalent
• Ability to speak, read, and write fluent English 
• Ability to work-day shift or night shift, duties as assigned 
• Individual must be authorized to work in the United States for Syngenta without work authorization sponsorship now or in the future
• Valid drivers license in good standing
• Commercial Pesticide Applicators License preferred
• Ability to remain flexible and responsive when faced with multiple urgent requests due to change in schedule because of weather or variety changes.
• Ability to adapt to changing environmental/situational needs such as rain, snowstorms and very cold temperatures that can affect the scheduling and operation of the plant.
• Knowledge of office functions and processes, including MS Office, MS Databases and Spreadsheets, and SAP
• Ability to operate state of the art conditioning, chemical and packaging equipment
• Ability to receive a chemical applicators license
• Excellent analytical and deductive reasoning skills, as well as organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work positively and effectively with outside vendors/agencies and internal personnel and departments
• Working knowledge of inventory management and distribution processes principals
• Must be able to be forklift certified

Preferred Requirements

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy (or related plant science) is highly preferred
• An agricultural background is also preferred but not required
• Minimum 2 years of seed industry experience preferred