Purpose
The purpose of the Integrated Field Sciences (IFS) R&D Function is the performance characterization of crop protection products and biological technologies, ensuring that customers experience no surprises when products are used as designed. The Leader of IFS in South Asia will lead a team of field scientists and technical staff and is responsible for all aspects of people leadership, people development and succession planning, budgets, capital, plan of work across stages (discovery to post-launch). He/She is also a member of the cross-functional leadership team in the South Asia Commercial Unit. Beyond people management skills, the role requires a technical foundation of the relevant businesses and the ability to create a vision and strategic direction for the Integrated Field Science organization in the Commercial Unit.
The role is accountable for achievement of business goals through the support, expansion and development of technical product uses consistent with business and stewardship objectives. The role reports to the IFS Regional Field Science Leader.
Skills
- Broad scientific and agronomic understanding and leadership, strategic planning on an interdisciplinary basis, technical knowledge within the business region.
- The candidate is recognized as a strong scientist who has planned, led, and executed successful research and development programs.
- Ph.D. or MSc Degree in Agricultural Science/Entomology/Pathology or equivalent areas
- Fluent in English, additional language skills relevant to the Commercial Unit are an asset
- Good understanding of customer needs and competitive offerings in relevant markets, broad experience, strong interpersonal skills and business and technical knowledge acumen
- Leads by example and instills trust and confidence to his team members and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-culturally, listens well, and communicates clearly, concisely, and readily.
- Demonstrated ability to foster a thriving work culture through recognition, employee development, and cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads the Field Science Team that effectively characterizes, develops, delivers technology transfer, and provides support to existing product lines across all CP and Traits disciplines.
- All aspects of people leadership and administration, development, capability and capacity build, workforce succession planning aligned with regional and corporate needs.
- Responsible for budgets and capital, discovery to post-launch plan of work; responsible for enabling expansion, development, launch, and technical support of existing assets in assigned region.
- Active member of the South Asia Leadership Team, responsible for driving business growth for the region. Lead by influence to exploit and grow new and existing opportunities.
- Accountable to ensure that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and resistance strategies exist regionally and are aligned with the global technical teams.
