Field Operations Manager

About Syngenta

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 that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.

Please note: this role can be supported remotely from within Iowa or Illinois. Optimal support locations are in the Iowa City / Lone Tree areas.

At Syngenta, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. To support this challenge, Syngenta Seeds is currently seeking a Field Operations Manager.

The Field Operations Manager is accountable for planning, leading, and delivering corn seed production programs across contracted growers and company-operated growing locations. This role converts the crop plan into safe, high-quality, cost-effective seasonal execution—from field placement and planting through harvest—while leading agronomists, field technicians, labor providers, and key vendors.

The incumbent builds trusted grower partnerships; manages field-production resources, quality, compliance, and HSE outcomes; and works closely with Site Leadership, Supply Chain, Commercial, Planning, R&D, and Strategy. The Field Operations Manager leads and influences at multiple levels of the organization, creating alignment between field execution and broader business priorities.

A successful candidate is deeply aligned with Syngenta’s values and mission to bring breakthrough innovation to farmers in every field. They bring curiosity, sound judgment, and the pace required by both the organization and the agricultural industry to discover, pilot, scale, and embed new ways of working.

• Own the grower relationship strategy for the assigned territory, including recruitment, onboarding, contracting, retention, contract settlement, performance management, and development of a grower portfolio that reliably delivers required volume, quality, and service.
• Translate the site crop plan into an executable field-production plan, including variety placement, field assignments, planting schedules, production milestones, and logistics sequencing from planting through harvest.
• Lead, coach, and develop assigned agronomists and field technicians. Set clear priorities and expectations; build accountability; and strengthen team capability through hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance reviews, individual development plans, and succession preparation.
• Lead and influence stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, from growers, labor providers, and field teams to site leadership and cross-functional partners. Build alignment, resolve competing priorities, and drive timely decisions in support of safe, successful crop delivery.
• Manage detasseling, rouging, pollination, male-destruction, harvest activities, and related field-operation outcomes. Hold field teams and labor vendors accountable for timing, purity, quality, productivity, safety, and economic performance.
• Manage H-2A and other labor and vendor relationships, including expectation-setting, performance oversight, issue resolution, and proactive escalation of risks to production execution.
• Ensure…