Technical Manager, Ornamentals & Professional Pest Management – East Africa at Syngenta

Job Description

• The Technical Manager for Ornamentals and Professional Pest Management (PPM) leads the development and execution of Syngenta Professional Solutions’ technical support strategy across key East African markets. This role ensures strong technical positioning of current and pipeline products, delivers high‑quality trial programs, and provides expert support to commercial teams.
• A central responsibility is building and maintaining strong relationships with customers, influencers, researchers, channel partners, and internal teams to ensure best‑in‑class technical support and to strengthen Syngenta’s reputation as a trusted solutions provider. The role also contributes to identifying new technologies, third‑party opportunities, and future portfolio additions that support business growth.
• The position is based in Nairobi and requires significant travel across East Africa.

Accountabilities

• Support the SPS Business Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa in developing and executing the 5‑year strategy and annual business and campaign plans.
• Design, implement, and manage technical support trials aligned with crop and public health solutions strategies, ensuring budget alignment with the SPS Business Manager.
• Evaluate and position new and existing products through robust technical assessments, including competitive benchmarking and market‑trend analysis.
• Deliver impactful technical training and engagement activities for customers, influencers, and partners through field days, demonstration sites, workshops, and industry events.
• Collaborate closely with the Territory Product Biologist, Regulatory Manager, and regulatory teams across key countries to ensure alignment of development activities and registration priorities.
• Build and maintain a strong network of industry experts, researchers, and internal stakeholders to accelerate innovation, share insights, and identify new opportunities.
• Lead the development of technical content, including brochures, presentations, technical bulletins, and media articles, to support product use and sales.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate in‑market intelligence to inform strategic planning, identify opportunities and threats, and support promotional and defensive strategies.
• Manage the technical support budget effectively and ensure efficient use of resources.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Designing and executing a robust technical support strategy that enables successful implementation of the SPS portfolio.
• Delivering high‑quality technical support for current products and future launches.
• Building strong, trust‑based relationships with key stakeholders across diverse markets.
• Providing high‑impact technical training that enhances customer capability and product adoption.
• Strengthening Syngenta’s technical reputation in Ornamentals and Professional Pest Management across East Africa.

Qualifications

Critical Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Crop Protection, Plant Science, Environmental Health, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of the role and value of technical information in a commercial environment.
• In‑depth knowledge of Ornamentals and Professional Pest Management (PPM)/Public Health products, markets, and production systems.
• Thorough understanding of product development, including experimental design, trial execution, and statistical analysis.
• Established network of industry contacts across Ornamentals and public health sectors.

Critical experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the agricultural, horticultural, professional pest management, or public health sectors within commercial, technical, product development, or field support roles.
• Demonstrated experience working with key industry influencers, researchers, and technical partners.
• Proven track record in advising on crop or public health solutions and supporting product use in the field.
• Hands‑on experience in designing, implementing, and managing field trials and trial protocols.
• Demonstrable success in managing product portfolios and delivering successful product launches.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong influencing skills and ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and multicultural teams.
• Solid agronomic and public health understanding relevant to Ornamentals and Professional Pest Management (PPM).
• High proficiency in planning, executing, interpreting, and reporting technical trials.
• Strong business and customer orientation with the ability to translate technical insights into commercial value.
• Ability to manage budgets accurately and responsibly.
• Strong strategic thinking and project‑management capability.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant digital tools.
• Fluency in English

Critical leadership capabilities

• Sets ambitious strategic goals and aligns technical activities to business priorities.
• Communicates inspirationally, simplifying complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Focuses energy on must‑win priorities that drive business impact.
• Manages performance to ensure high standards and continuous improvement.