Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture innovation company (Part of 33.4 billion USD Syngenta Group) dedicated to improving global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 60,000 people in over 100 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities.

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.

Role purpose

• Drive the effective and efficient operation of the portfolio management processes, particularly the Portfolio Definition Cycle (PDC) for delivery of the AMEA & JANZ Crop Protection Development (CPD) portfolio, including Japan and ANZ
• Regional DeCo management – pro-actively shapes and runs regional DeCo (agenda, action tracking, minutes, participation, presents communication records on behalf of all project teams in region, ensures consistent documentation) striving for continuous improvement in efficient and fit-for-purpose project governance in close collaboration with CPD LT and Portfolio Leadership Teams; ensures that the rationale of projects coming to DeCo is comprehensive, complete and well articulated
• Provide transparency of costs and business value of AMEA &JANZ CPD portfolio to enable fact-based, timely decision making and portfolio reporting, ensure resource allocation to highest-value pipeline opportunities
• Drive the use of cross-functional data to gain actionable insights through digital tools to enable the regional leadership team to review and monitor progress against KPIs, provide forward-looking, data-driven insights (not just reporting) and consider predictive analysis to support decision making and portfolio outcomes
• Lead portfolio improvement initiatives aligned with regional CPD Strategic Agenda, drive active portfolio optimisation and value maximization, including trade-off decisions and early termination of non-viable projects
• Ensure close alignment with other regions and global CPD teams to maintain consistency and leverage best practice in processes, governance, portfolio management and was of working
• Lead the evolution and adoption of PDC and DeCo relevant system and platform
• Represent AMEA & JANZ in Global Portfolio Operations meetings
• Own communication of development portfolio information among the key global, region & country stakeholders
• Work in partnership with Head Project & Portfolio Management, marketing leadership, portfolio leadership and project teams to define regional development priorities
• Lead and ensure delivery of special projects/initiatives as needed, including business improvement initiatives, digital transformation, new business opportunities

Accountabilities

• Lead regional Portfolio management and planning activities, in line with PDC cycle
• Support the regional Project & Portfolio Management Head on productivity enhancement initiatives and effective portfolio execution and delivery
• Support the regional Portfolio Leadership Teams with portfolio analysis and generation of insights to improve decision-making
• Tracking, monitoring, and reporting of portfolio delivery status, regional commitments, and KPIs/milestones; execute action plans to improve AMEA portfolio KPIs
• Support AMEA CPD reporting, such as Business Plan Review (BPR)
• Regional DeCo management – runs regional DeCo (agenda, action tracking, presents communication records on behalf of all project teams in region, ensures consistent documentation), reviews documents to propose quality improvements to team, provides guidance to ensure team members are updated on DeCo governance
• Lead and ensure delivery of regional special projects/initiatives as needed
• Lead the evolution and adoption of PDC and DeCo relevant system and platform

Knowledge and technical capabilities

• Fluent in English
• Proven record in the application of project and/or portfolio management methodologies
• Proven track record of analyzing and visualizing large amount of data for actionable insights
• Technically competent with a broad-based science knowledge, ability to learn quickly to understand CPD activities and the resources required to deliver them
• Broad knowledge of the Syngenta business gained through experience in a range of different roles and functions is a plus
• Broad knowledge of or ability/interest to quickly learn supporting tools (SmartChoice Connect, Veeva, QlikView, Salesforce, SmartSheet)
• Change management experience

Experience

• At least 7 years of project / program / portfolio management experience
• Hands on business experience preferably in agrichemicals/life sciences/chemicals (and/or several years with leading management consultancy)
• Experience with industry-leading data visualization tools (Qlik, PowerBI, Tableau, etc.) a plus

Personal Capabilities

• An excellent communicator, able to use different styles to influence and build effective relationships at senior level
• Good interpersonal skills and capability to operate effectively in a matrix organization
• Persuasive, able to build support for proposals and gain commitment to take action
• Tenacity, perseverance, high energy, and commitment to accomplish long-term goals despite uncertainty, ambiguity, and constraints
• Strong facilitation skills to plan and manage effective meetings and decision making
• Ability to think and work in complex structures
• Adept at working with diverse and remote teams

Qualifications

• Science degree to MSci level; Agronomy, biology or chemistry background preferred; Additional qualifications in finance/business administration/MBA
• Advanced portfolio management training, such as PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional) or equivalent qualification is desirable