Tolling 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.

Role purpose :

The Plant/Tolling Manager is responsible for managing outsourced and internal corn seed processing operations to ensure high-quality seed production, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and reliable supply delivery. The role oversees tolling partners, processing plants, quality systems, safety standards, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting Syngenta’s production strategy and customer commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Management Manage end-to-end corn seed processing operations from harvest through conditioning, treatment, packaging, storage, and shipment.
• Coordinate production activities with tolling partners and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure production schedules meet supply chain and customer requirements.
• Monitor plant performance, recovery rates, throughput, and operational KPIs.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Tolling & Vendor Management Act as the primary contact for third-party tolling facilities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with tollers and contract manufacturers. Ensure tollers comply with Syngenta operational, quality, and HSE standards.
• Conduct capability assessments and performance evaluations of tolling partners. Support outsourcing strategies and capacity planning.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Syngenta quality standards, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead implementation of quality assurance processes and corrective actions.
• Support audits related to HSE, quality, stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Investigate processing deviations, complaints, and operational issues.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Promote a strong safety culture across processing operations.
• Ensure adherence to HSE policies and stewardship practices.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure safe operation of seed processing equipment and facilities.

Financial & Budget Management

• Manage processing budgets, operational costs, and tolling expenses.
• Monitor processing efficiency and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support forecasting and budget planning activities.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop processing and operational teams.
• Coach employees and support succession planning.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with supply chain, quality, procurement, agronomy, and production teams.

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate SAP/ERP transactional data and inventory records.
• Analyze operational metrics and generate management reports.
• Ensure master data accuracy for processing operations.

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in:

• Agriculture Agronomy
• Seed Technology Engineering
• Supply Chain
• Manufacturing Operations Related field

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in:
• Seed production
• Seed processing
• Plant operations
• Manufacturing
• Agricultural supply chain
• Experience managing tolling/outsourced production preferred.
• Corn seed processing experience strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of seed conditioning and processing technologies.
• Understanding of HSE and quality management systems.
• SAP/ERP experience preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience is advantageous.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Cross-functional collaboration capability.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Customer and results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work in matrix and multicultural environments.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Seed quality compliance
• Recovery rates
• Processing efficiency
• Cost per unit
• processed On-time delivery (QOTIF)
• Safety performance
• Inventory accuracy
• Customer satisfaction
• Toller performance metrics

Typical Tools & Systems

• SAP / ERP systems
• Seed processing equipment
• Quality management systems
• Production planning tools
• KPI dashboards
• Common Titles for Similar Roles
• Seed Processing Manager
• Production Operations Manager
• Tolling Production Manager
• Corn Processing
• Plant Manager
• Seed Supply Operations Manager
• Processing & Conditioning Lead

Working Conditions

• Combination of office and plant/field environment.
• Exposure to seed processing facilities and outdoor agricultural conditions.
• Travel may be required to tolling locations and production sites.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

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