Vegetable Research Operations Lead

Company Description

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Vegetables and Flowers, we're cultivating tomorrow's diversity through innovative breeding that brings vibrant colors to gardens and nutritious vegetables to tables worldwide. We combine centuries of seed heritage with cutting-edge innovation to develop resilient, high-performing varieties that thrive in diverse climates. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture, where every seed holds the potential to enhance lives through better nutrition and natural beauty.

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta’s Seeds Operation team is seeking a Vegetable Research Operations Lead in El Ejido, Almería.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead vegetable research and development Seeds Operations across our Innovation Center (Fast Track and Fruity Crops Technology Center), Young Plant Raiser (YPR), and Crop Maintenance teams. You will play a pivotal role in delivering innovative vegetable seed products while fostering collaboration across a diverse, multidisciplinary team.

Accountabilities:

• Lead Seeds Operations & Resources: Drive vegetable R&D Seeds Operations across the Innovation Center (Fast Track and Fruity Crops Technology Center), Young Plant Raiser (YPR), and Crop Maintenance teams. Manage farm purchases, greenhouse/growth room maintenance, and coordinate with Global Facility Management (GFM) and CBRE for all growing and farming areas. Propose infrastructure and capability investments aligned with R&D strategy and site priorities.
• Deliver Operational Excellence: Ensure effective operations to deliver new vegetable seed products aligned with commercial strategy while optimizing R&D resources to meet operational targets (KPIs). Manage all farming and growth chamber activities including planning, greenhouse preparation, sowing, planting, experimental settings, crop development, climate management, disease/pest monitoring, phytosanitary treatments, and waste management.
• Oversee Nursery & Specialized Activities: Coordinate and supervise Young Plant Raiser activities to ensure high seedling quality and relevant germination data within commercial representativeness. Secure associated activities including clones, in vitro plants, and field selections in coordination with YPR specialists.
• Ensure Quality, Compliance & Project Execution: Implement quality standards, biosafety protocols, Global Seed Production Practices (GSPP), and Global Phytosanitary Standards (GPS) across all R&D seed operations. Lead implementation of diverse projects (new germplasm, new traits, investments) while contributing to the site agenda and ensuring deliveries for non-vegetable activities (marketing demo days, crop protection trials). Approach diverse crops with flexibility and a research mindset.
• Lead & Develop Teams: Provide line management for R&D Seeds Operation personnel across Innovation Center, Young Plant Raiser, and Crop Maintenance teams. Drive people management and development processes for direct and indirect reports. Champion Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) priorities and promote a safe operation. Foster motivation, engagement, and fluid relationships between departments to work as ONE site TEAM.
• Enable Strategic Communication & Collaboration: Ensure transparency in site operations through regular reporting, trade-off discussions, and best practice sharing. Serve as the key interface between breeding, production and supply, trait assessment, facility management, marketing, sales, and site leadership. Represent site operational activities in territory, regional, and global R&D Seeds Operations forums as a member of the Local R&D Seed Operation leadership team aligning functions according to strategic vegetable business unit priorities and planning.

Qualifications

Education & Knowledge:

• MSc or PhD in Agronomy, Biology, or related field with strong understanding of agriculture, crop management, controlled environments, precision agriculture, and breeding principles.
• Thorough understanding of R&D processes with ability to identify critical issues and engage effectively across functions.
• Sound understanding of commercial and business concepts.
• Fluent in both English and Spanish (written and spoken)

Experience:

• Proven track record managing controlled environments (growth rooms) and high-tech greenhouses while integrating data sou