Applied Data Science Lead

Company Description

Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture. 

At Syngenta Seeds business unit, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers around the globe. We are seeking an Applied Data Science Lead with a passion for utilizing their plant breeding, quantitative genetics, and statistical skills to help transform our Seeds product development pipeline through enhanced experimental designs and analytics. As an Applied Data Science Lead you will work collaboratively on the design, analysis and implementation of industry-leading experimental designs and biometric capabilities to improve decision making for Syngenta Seeds Research and Development. 

The ideal candidate should combine creativeness and scientific leadership and use their knowledge and experience in applied analytics, plant breeding, biometrics, and statistics to enhance our seeds development pipeline and enable best in class insights and decision making.  Successful candidates will need to demonstrate accountability, scientific and technical leadership, continuous development, collaboration/networking skills and strong communication and storytelling skills. As Applied Data Science Lead you will be part of a dynamic leadership team that supports innovation and development in an Analytics and Data Science large domain transforming our business. 

Job Description

Accountabilities:

• Develops, coordinates, and provides analytics and data science leadership and support for related projects in Breeding Innovation Pipelines at the Seeds Development Function level 
• Requires in-depth knowledge and experience in plant breeding including mastery of techniques/methods/scientific theories and subject matter expertise
• Typically works on complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors and potentially the design of new analytics approaches
• Responsible for development of new and improvement of existing processes, products and systems in defining, designing and enhancing our experimental designs and analysis capabilities for our field trial experiments
• Identify data needs and provide recommendations for the development of the global data strategy
• Manages the work efforts of a team and additional individuals from other functions and mentors staff. Completes performance appraisals
• Serves as a data science and statistical lead in mid-/large-sized project teams with cross-functional team members and global impact
• Extensive awareness of all activities within Syngenta is expected
• Often provide some input to functional or departmental strategy to support decisions guided by functional strategies and priorities
• Networks and collaborates with technical leaders from diverse technical backgrounds within seeds development, analytics and data science, IT, and product managers to build and enable end to end solutions
• In charge of the communication to Seeds R&D stakeholders (technical and non-technical audiences) of analytical results to develop enhancement opportunities, share key learnings and to support implementation of innovative approaches
• Works independently with limited guidance

Qualifications

Requirements

• Ph.D. in plant breeding, agriculture, or equivalent
• Technical understanding of plant breeding and environmental trialing
• 7+ years of experience in statistical methods applied to the design and analysis of experiments; including programming, multivariate statistics, probability, and spatial statistics
• Significant experience in designing new analytics approaches customized with regards to specific constraints

Critical experience

• Formal training and/or experience in mixed-linear models, generalized linear models, machine learning models, stochastic/mathematical simulation models
• Experience using a programming language (R, Python, SQL) to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets
• Experience with visualization and rapid prototyping tools (e.g. R Shiny, Spotfire, Power BI)
• Proven interpersonal and excellent communication skills in order to communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with R&D colleagues
• Experience with Agile methodology
• Experience providing insights, conclusions and recommendations based on data analyses
• Critical thinking and experienced problem solver

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

• A passion for delivering disruptive innovation
• Excellent problem analysis and problem solving
• Enthusiastic, communicative, collaborative and results oriented
• Ability to reduce complexity by focusing on meaningful business outcomes
• Ability to work through ambiguity and uncertainty to deliver results
• Ability to work effectively across disciplines in a global matrix with diverse cultures and skillsets
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners

Critical leadership capabilities

• Typically manages supervisors and/or professional staff
• Often serves as best practice/quality resource in their particular Function within Syngenta
• Accountable for results of a small team
• Exercises first-level management responsibilities
• Generally defines operation standards and ensures procedures are followed

We expect employees to align to our values, including:

• Focus on customer success and profitable market share growth when making decisions
• Work together to deliver – one team, one plan
• Trust each other and hold each other accountable
• Work across boundaries
• Work to develop their abilities
• Say what they think and feel to benefit from diverse perspectives
• Live by our Code of Conduct
• Give and welcome prompt, actionable and constructive feedback
• Energized by our work and celebrate our achievements
   

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution 
• Open Vacation Policy with a minimum of 15 days of vacation and up to 30 days with manager approval, 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

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.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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