Field Operations Manager

About Us

Please note: this role can be supported remotely from within Iowa or Illinois. Optimal support locations are in the Iowa City / Lone Tree areas.

At Syngenta we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. To support this challenge Syngenta Seeds is currently seeking a Field Operations Manager.

The Field Operations Manager is accountable for planning leading and delivering corn seed production programs across contracted growers and company-operated growing locations. This role converts the crop plan into safe high-quality cost-effective seasonal executionfrom field placement and planting through harvestwhile leading agronomists field technicians labor providers and key vendors.

The incumbent builds trusted grower partnerships; manages field-production resources quality compliance and HSE outcomes; and works closely with Site Leadership Supply Chain Commercial Planning R&D and Strategy. The Field Operations Manager leads and influences at multiple levels of the organization creating alignment between field execution and broader business priorities.

A successful candidate is deeply aligned with Syngentas values and mission to bring breakthrough innovation to farmers in every field. They bring curiosity sound judgment and the pace required by both the organization and the agricultural industry to discover pilot scale and embed new ways of working.

Accountabilities

• Own the grower relationship strategy for the assigned territory including recruitment onboarding contracting retention contract settlement performance management and development of a grower portfolio that reliably delivers required volume quality and service.
• Translate the site crop plan into an executable field-production plan including variety placement field assignments planting schedules production milestones and logistics sequencing from planting through harvest.
• Lead coach and develop assigned agronomists and field technicians. Set clear priorities and expectations; build accountability; and strengthen team capability through hiring onboarding coaching performance reviews individual development plans and succession preparation.
• Lead and influence stakeholders at multiple organizational levels from growers labor providers and field teams to site leadership and cross-functional partners. Build alignment resolve competing priorities and drive timely decisions in support of safe successful crop delivery.
• Manage detasseling rouging pollination male-destruction harvest activities and related field-operation outcomes. Hold field teams and labor vendors accountable for timing purity quality productivity safety and economic performance.
• Manage H-2A and other labor and vendor relationships including expectation-setting performance oversight issue resolution and proactive escalation of risks to production execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely collection of field data. Use field quality and operational insights to guide spray windows defoliation timing harvest scheduling resource deployment and other critical production decisions.
• Own quality compliance traceability and HSE outcomes across assigned growing locations. Ensure inspections clean-downs documentation and required protocols are completed to standard.
• Lead or oversee root-cause analysis for quality events safety events and production shortfalls. Develop corrective-action plans ensure disciplined follow-through and verify sustainable resolution.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between the growing area and Site Leadership Supply Chain Commercial Planning R&D and Strategy. Communicate crop status risks forecast changes and deviations early enough to enable effective response.

Qualifications :

• A minimum of a Bachelors degree preferably in Agronomy Crop Science Plant Science Agriculture and/or related field required
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in seed-production agronomy field-crop management and/or a comparable agricultural production environment.
• Experience leading people vendors and operational teams in an agricultural production setting.
• Experience translating crop plans into seasonal field-execution plans and managing multiple priorities sites and stakeholder relationships during peak production windows.
• Must have a valid drivers license
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship support from Syngenta.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in grower relationship management contracting field-production performance review and labor or vendor program oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret field quality financial and operational data and make timely well-reasoned production decisions.
• Strong working knowledge of corn seed-production systems including detasseling pollination management grower contracting field-level quality standards traceability and HSE requirements.
• Working knowledge of field-data platforms digital tools and emerging technology applications or the demonstrated ability to learn and apply them quickly.
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) certification preferred or active progress toward certification.

Additional Information :

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation Paid Holidays Maternity and Paternity Leave Education Assistance Wellness Programs Corporate Discounts among other benefits.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here:  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.

Use of AI in Our Recruitment Process

At Syngenta we use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen applications for high-volume roles.

When you submit an application AI technology assesses your profile against the job requirements and generates a matching score. This score reflects how closely your qualifications skills and experience align with the roles criteria as defined in the job description.

See our Privacy Notice for details about automated decision-making and your rights.

WL: 4A

#LI-Remote

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Full-time