Africa Testing and Field Operations Lead at Monsanto Company

Job Description

Monsanto is seeking a highly motivated individual with the ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary breeding team. The Africa Testing Lead is responsible for leading a team which conducts high-quality field research and supplies high-quality data to enable accurate and timely decisions in the advancement of corn and cotton products through the pre-commercial and breeding pipeline. The person is also responsible for all general operations of a multi-national testing program. This individual is critical to research implementation and will have the opportunity to work with cutting edge proprietary field research equipment, superior genetic material, and help drive large yield testing programs

Key Business Accountabilities (includes business, organizational and people)

• Development and implementation of people, equipment and facility strategies to ensure adequate resources are aligned with Africa breeding needs.
• Recruiting, development and retention of testing team leadership and support staff.
• Participation and contribution to Africa breeding and testing strategies and Long Range Planning. Ensuring that Africa testing goals and deliverables are aligned with high level functional goals and corporate objectives to support accurate and timely evaluation of products.
• Lead implementation and ensuring compliance of company/functional polices on Environmental Safety & Health, Quality Management Systems and stewardship at Africa breeding and testing stations
• Drive process standardization, adoption of best practices and implementation of process improvement measures across Africa testing programs.
• Drive data quality improvement through coaching with local teams on location selection, plot management, data quality work etc., Also drive global connections in implementation of best practices.
• Serve as member of Africa breeding leadership team. Actively participate in operational and strategic topic areas.
• Develop, track and forecast Africa testing budgets and ensure maintenance of company assets.
• Work closely with the Operations team in analysis of breeding operations looking for efficiencies, synergies and searching for equitable workload balance across diverse sites
• Participate as appropriate and act as a consultant linking the Africa Testing team to the Equipment and Automation project teams.
• Play a key role in driving IT operational enhancement supporting testing efficiencies through participation on various Breeding/Automation project teams Scope of the Job (Additional detail such as size of organization, key people/team interfaces, budgets, program metrics, external relationships)
• Lead multi-functional, multi-national testing team.
• Develop a broad knowledge of testing focus areas, process’s and opportunities for improvement.
• Participate as a key member of the Africa Leadership team.
• Overnight and extended travel may be required
• MS in Plant Breeding, Agronomy or related field of study with 5+ years of significant people and project management experience in an agricultural-related research position
• Demonstrated success in developing and evaluating complex programs, selecting and effectively operationalizing innovative programs
• Strong project management skills managing complex, multi-faceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
• Advanced computer skills and excellent knowledge of software related to data acquisition and analysis. Good working knowledge of statistics and experimental design
• Excellent leadership and people skills, effective verbal communication, and ability to thrive in a team based work environment.

Desired Skills/Experience:

Ph.D in Plant Breeding, Agronomy or related field of study with 5+ years of significant people and project management experience in an agricultural-related research position. Good working knowledge of statistics and experimental design.

Organization: GLB Breeding – AIAC Breeding Mgmt51159262_

Requisition ID: 01LEC

Job: Research & Development

Schedule: Full-time

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