Trailing Specialist

Role purpose

The Trialing Specialist plays key role in internal or external trialing activities by:

• Driving end-to-end execution of research trials to evaluate the performance of experimental seed varieties/hybrids

• Collecting detailed phenotypic observations using digital tools and current technologies, and securing timely high-quality data

• Partnering with R&D, marketing and sales team, as well as growers, to quarantee timely completion of trialing objectives and trial excellence via contrinous improvement of trialing operations

Accountabilities

• Drive the end-to-end trialing process including setup and maintenance of trials from planting to harvest and tracking of different experimental entries. Ensure trialing objectives are met.

• Become integral member of trialing team supporting all activities from sowing to harvest including (but not limited to) trial planning, seed shipment/tracking, seed sowing, planting, labelling, transplanting, harvest and data collection of experimental entries.

• Operate and maintain seed research equipment with complex mechanical and electronic components. Hands-on operation of specialized farm equiment depending on crop responsibilities.

• Use advanced phenotyping technologies and IT tools to record detailed observations from trial plots

• Secure high-quality trial data collection and data storage in corporate IT systems/databases.

• Select and optimize trial locations in line with targeted market and customer segment, trialing best practices (uniformity, soil, consistency) and environmental factors

• Prepare and negotiate trial contracts with growers based on standard Syngenta agreement.

• Communicate regularly with Trialing & Product Placement Lead and Product Placement Scientists to discuss trial progress and issues encountered at trial locations.

• Drive the end-to-end trialing process including setup and maintenance of trials from planting to harvest and tracking of different experimental entries. Ensure trialing objectives are met.

• Become integral member of trialing team supporting all activities from sowing to harvest including (but not limited to) trial planning, seed shipment/tracking, seed sowing, planting, labelling, transplanting, harvest and data collection of experimental entries.

• Operate and maintain seed research equipment with complex mechanical and electronic components. Hands-on operation of specialized farm equiment depending on crop responsibilities.

• Use advanced phenotyping technologies and IT tools to record detailed observations from trial plots

• Secure high-quality trial data collection and data storage in corporate IT systems/databases.

• Select and optimize trial locations in line with targeted market and customer segment, trialing best practices (uniformity, soil, consistency) and environmental factors

• Prepare and negotiate trial contracts with growers based on standard Syngenta agreement.

• Communicate regularly with Trialing & Product Placement Lead and Product Placement Scientists to discuss trial progress and issues encountered at trial locations.

• Work closely with commercial team and growers to ensure timely trial cycles are achieved.

• Interact frequently with stakeholders including breeding, marketing and sales teams to provide updates on work activities.

• Maintain strong relationship with seed dealers, growers, and processors to secure strategic trial locations and manage grower contracts

• Collect trialing operations KPIs and various observations to determine areas for continous improvement and identity process risks

• Participate in research projects and process-improvement initiatives related to trialing and phenotyping vegetable varieties.

• Lead field crews by managing, coaching and training third-party contract labor to ensure optimal trial management and data integrity. Monitor performance indicators for third-party contract labor.

• Ensure all trial activities comply with Syngentas Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, biosafety standards, stewardship practices, quality system guidelines and ethical compliance standards.

• Follow all HSE policies, timely complete all required trainings, attend local safety meetings and champion safety mindset. Qualifications

Critical Knowledge and Experience

• Required BS degree. Preferred MSc degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science or agriculture-related field.
• Practical knowledge in crop mananagment, agronomy/horticulture practices, plant physiology and plant breeding across vegetable crops
• Deep understanding of practices and procedures that affect trial data quality and accuracy
• Strong digital fluency and database management skills. Ability to master proprietary IT systems for data storage, label printing and inventory management
• Hands-on experience in operating farming and precision ag equipment (eg planters, tractors, automated harvest), including adjustment, maintenance and basic repairs
• Demonstrated experience in electronic data capture and digital phenotyping tools and technologies (eg drones, imaging methods), and motivation for continuous learning
• Fluency in English and local language; demonstrated strong written and verbal communication abilities.

Critical Professional and Leadership and Capabilities

• Ability to work independently, plan and prioritize day-to-day tasks and deliver timely on business priorities.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with teams and individuals across the organization.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and work effectively with trialing personnel and