Technical Field Scientist

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 purpose

• Timely and effective planning, execution, analysis and reporting of trials to achieve registrations or develop key products which will contribute to the future profitability and growth of the business.
• Execute product demonstration trials to support the Marketing and Sales strategy and New Product Introductions (NPI’s).
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and training to commercial colleagues and external customers.

Accountabilities 

• Successful trials: Strive to achieve a 100% success rate of allocated trials in terms of quality (conclusiveness) and on-time delivery – KPI13.
• This role will be responsible for CP trialing execution mostly focused on technical and demo trial activities.
• Proactive  participation in and contribution to protocol design with Product Biology team.
• Timeous trial planning and execution.
• Reporting of trial results on various platforms (IRBM, Technical conference, TRM, customer, distributor and grower levels). Also observations/results not specified in the protocol can be observed and reported.
• Validates results and give recommendations / insights on performance of tested products and solutions at single trial level.
• Technical assistance to sales, marketing and technical departments.
• Establish good relationships with all relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Equipment and store maintenance.
• Keep abreast of market, trade and competitor activities in order to adapt to changing environments.
• Arrange demonstration field days to train internal and external stakeholders.
• Technical Field Scientist can also have an expert responsibility within cluster or country, which creates the following additional accountabilities:• Owner of technical expertise per product and crop (projects)
• Drive standardization and transformation of ways of working
• Spread expertise through result meetings, training and sharing of best practices

• Ensure that all operations under direct control comply with Syngenta Health, Safety & Environment policies and guidelines as well as any other relevant Syngenta or statutory policies.

 

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum B.Sc. Degree in Agriculture with majors in plant pathology or entomology or agronomy
• Preferably with 2 years product development experience.
• Proven track record of technical knowledge in the agronomical field (crop protection focused), having a influenceable reputation in the agricultural industry. 

Critical Knowledge

• Product development procedures and trialing methodologies.
• Good knowledge of products, diseases, pests, nematodes, weeds and crops.
• High level knowledge on agricultural/agronomy practices and crop protection.
• Good interpersonal relationship skills, building relationships with commercial and other stakeholders.
• Ability to present in front of audience and influence stakeholders.

Critical Skills

• Identify opportunities, recognize threats and to be pro-active (problem identification and solving)
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Work independently
• Innovative mindset
• Results driven
• Communication in English and local language with stakeholders.
• Report writing and interpretation
• Planning and organizing
• Presentations - Formal and field (English and Local)
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to initiate first contacts
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter

Location: Kenya