Biological Specialist

Syngenta Group is one of the world’s leading sustainable agriculture innovation companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. Our 53,000 people across more than 100 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world’s most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Syngenta Group is committed to operating at the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is a commitment that we are making to investors, customers, society and employees. Syngenta Group is also committed to maintaining a workplace environment free from discrimination and Harassment.

ROLE OVERVIEW

An opportunity within our Crop Protection Commercial Function has become available for a passionate & futuristic Agriculture expert to play critical role in establishing Syngenta as a leader in biologicals in South Africa and embedding biological solutions into core crop protection programs through the following key activities:

• Drive adoption of biologicals within integrated crop protection and IPM programs
• Build market confidence across channel, sales, and growers
• Ensure successful positioning and landing of new biological product launches
• Define how biologicals fit into crop programs across key crops

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Build channel capability• Design and lead comprehensive technical training strategies to build biologicals expertise with strategic channel partners, sales teams and key growers
• Develop simple, repeatable training tools

• Build internal capability• Establishing and directing technical training programs to embed knowledge across the commercial organization

• Support product launches / New Product Introduction• Ensure integration into IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and crop programs
• Enable channel readiness

• Own trial execution and translation• Ensure correct trial placement and protocols
• Deliver fast, clear reporting
• Translate results into practical use cases

• Act as technical gatekeeper• Validate claims and positioning
• Align with agronomy and regulatory requirements
• Lead technical issue resolution processes and develop preventive measures to optimize biological product performance

• Drive campaign integration• Embed biologicals into campaigns
• Work closely with Campaign Leads

• Develop market-facing content including but not limited to Articles, training material and thought leadership
• Maintain active engagement with industry associations i.e. Study groups, SABO etc

Critical knowledge, experience & qualifications

• BSc degree in related field or equivalent 
• Extensive biological product expertise spanning 5+ years
• Reasonably solid experience in Biologicals and integrated crop programs
• Practical agricultural expertise with comprehensive crop cycle knowledge
• Strong channel and grower exposure
• Proven track record in implementing training and driving user acceptance
• South African crops and channel exposure
• Trial design and data interpretation
• Good understanding of the Crop Protection market dynamics

 

• The role is country wide, and the applicant will need to travel to the various regions
• The incumbent must have a high appetite to collaborate with key stakeholders (Agronomy, Marketing, Sales & Channel Partners)  and high degree of autonomy