Technical Market Development Lead - East Africa

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

• Accountability and co-ordination of successful NPI delivery and launch in East Africa contributing to the future profitability and growth of the business by means of:• Demo trial program (RTB, Showcase, commercial) supporting the business.
• Technical expertise, support and training to commercial colleagues (sales, marketing) and external customers (distribution).
• Direct support to KAM’s in delivering the business with commercial grower segment, by providing technical expertise and support to help convince customer.

• Lead, grow and shape direct team members.
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders.• Internal: CPD PB, CPD senior field scientist, commercial and marketing teams.
• External: distribution, customers, key influencers, research organizations.

• CPD input into PDC cycle

Key Accountabilities

• CPD representation during PDC (Portfolio Definition Cycle) - business case contribution and project prioritization.
• Identify technical portfolio gaps and define the technical profile of potential options.
• Identify technical portfolio gaps and define the technical profile of potential options.
• Engagement with Product Biology team:  Protocol demand decision and requests.
• Proactive participation in and contribution to demo protocol design.
• Overall this role will be responsible for demo trialing program and technical commercial support, helping to grow the business.
• Demo trial prioritization and allocation. Timeous demo trial planning and execution with relevant and influential partners and customers.
• Successful trials: Strive to achieve a 100% success rate of allocated trials in terms of quality(conclusiveness) and on-time delivery.
• Ensure all demo trials with partners are executed well and data and influencing utilization for these trials is maximized.
• Reporting of demo trial results to influence wider on all relevant platforms. Interpret demo trial results in an understandable language to impact commercial stakeholders. Also report on observations/results not specified in the protocol.
• Validates results and give recommendations / insights on performance of tested products and solutions at single and combined trial levels.
• Arrange demonstration days (field, classroom, virtual or other platforms) to train internal and external stakeholders.
• Local responsibility for engagement and technical support to local colleagues (marketing, sales and regulatory).
• Establish good relationships with relevant external stakeholders, e.g. Distributers, Grower organizations, Growers, Key industry influencers, etc.
• Support KAM’s locally in ensuring business delivery with distribution and commercial farms from a technical perspective. 
• Responsible for arranging key meetings: e.g., protocol, IRBM, Tech conference, status report meetings.
• Keep abreast of market, trade and competitor activities in order to adapt to changing environments.
• The TMD Lead can also have expert responsibility within BA or country, which creates the following additional accountabilities:• Owner of technical expertise per product, crop or subject matter.
• 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.
• Support sustainably and stewardship activities in the country.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Experience and qualifications

• Minimum B.Sc. Degree in Agriculture with majors in plant pathology or entomology or agronomy or weed science,
• Preferably with at least 5 years product development experience.
• Proven track record of technical knowledge in the agronomical field (crop protection focused), having an influenceable reputation in the agricultural industry. 
• Leadership and management experience.

Critical Knowledge

• Product development procedures and demo trialing methodology.
• Ability to translate highly technical information into understandable information dependent on audience requirement.
• Ability to present in front of audience and influence stakeholders (distribution, small and commercial scale growers).
• Good knowledge of crop protection 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 lead and direct on local level.

Critical Skills

• Identify opportunities, recognize threats and to be pro-active (problem identification and solving)
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Work independently
• Innovative mindset
• Results driven for commercial impact mindset.
• Communication in English and local language with stakeholders.
• Trialing methodology
• Report writing, interpretation and presentation (formal and field - English and local)
• Planning and organizing
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to initiate first contacts
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter.
• People management/leadership skills.

Location: Kenya, preferably Nairobi with mobility across East Africa.