Operations Manager

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities. We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.

Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices

The Operations Manager provides comprehensive leadership and strategic oversight of all Seeds Development operations across the Western US, based in Junction City, KS. Encompassing nursery operations, farming systems and seed logistics. This role drives integrated operational excellence in nurseries, field production, seed processing, and distribution. Ensuring the highest quality standards, HSE, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices to support seed production for Syngenta.

Accountabilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Direct the execution of end-to-end operations across the Western US, based in Junction City, KS. Ensuring alignment with North America Seeds Development objectives and business goals.
• Operational Excellence: Drive cross-functional integration and workflow efficiency to eliminate silos; monitor KPIs to identify and implement corrective actions for continuous improvement.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage the overall budget (Cap Ex and OpEx), ensuring cost optimization, resource investment, and financial accountability.
• Talent & Capability Building: Lead talent management, succession planning, and leadership development for direct reports while ensuring technical training delivery across all operational areas.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure site-wide compliance with corporate policies, safety standards, and regulatory procedures; lead crisis management and business continuity planning.
• Strategic Influence: Represent Junction City operations in senior leadership meetings and maintain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders (government, industry, and service providers).
• Leading Change: Lead organizational change initiatives and coordinate with regional/corporate functions to standardize processes and leverage best practices.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must reside in and be permanently authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship. This includes, but is not limited to, OPT, CPT, and H-1B visa holders.

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, plant science, or related field, with at least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding environments.
• Proven experience managing nursery, field-production/farming, seed processing, and/or seed logistics operations at scale.
• Demonstrated ownership of OpEx and Cap Ex budgets, forecasting, cost control, and investment prioritization.
• Capability to lead organizational and process changes, build adoption, and manage resistance.
• HSE, quality, and regulatory leadership:
  Ability to lead site-wide safety, environmental, quality, corporate-policy, and regulatory compliance-not simply work within protocols.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in overseeing, motivating, and developing employees while effectively resolving conflicts, delegating responsibilities, and fostering collaborative relationships across nursery teams and other site functions.
• Advanced project management capabilities to handle complex, overlapping activities with tight timelines while ensuring adherence to multiple operational, regulatory, and compliance protocols…