Operations Manager

Syngenta Group•Junction City, KS

2d•$88,000 - $132,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager provides comprehensive leadership and strategic oversight of Syngenta Seeds Development operations across the Western US, based in Junction City, Kansas. The role encompasses nursery operations, farming systems, and seed logistics, and drives integrated operational excellence across nurseries, field production, seed processing, and distribution. The position ensures high quality standards, health, safety, and environmental (HSE) performance, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices in support of seed production. The Operations Manager directs end-to-end operations in alignment with North America Seeds Development objectives and business goals; promotes cross-functional integration and workflow efficiency; manages capital and operating budgets; develops talent and technical capabilities; ensures governance, safety, and regulatory compliance; represents Junction City operations to senior leaders and stakeholders; and leads organizational change and process standardization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in agronomy, plant science, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding environments.
Proven experience managing nursery, field-production or farming, seed processing, and/or seed logistics operations at scale.
Demonstrated ownership of OpEx and CapEx budgets, forecasting, cost control, and investment prioritization.
Ability to lead organizational and process changes, build adoption, and manage resistance.
Ability to lead site-wide safety, environmental, quality, corporate-policy, and regulatory compliance.
Demonstrated leadership skills in overseeing, motivating, and developing employees; resolving conflicts; delegating responsibilities; and fostering collaborative relationships.
Advanced project management capabilities for complex, overlapping activities with tight timelines and multiple operational, regulatory, and compliance protocols.
Excellent collaboration skills with diverse teams, including breeders, Regulatory, HSE, and quality assurance groups.
Ability to use metrics, KPIs, and analytics to identify operational trends and system bottlenecks.
Must reside in and be permanently authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship; OPT, CPT, and H-1B visa holders are included in the stated restriction.

Nice To Haves

Experience in seed production or plant breeding environments.

Responsibilities

Direct end-to-end operations across the Western US, based in Junction City, Kansas, aligning execution with North America Seeds Development objectives and business goals.
Drive cross-functional integration and workflow efficiency, monitor KPIs, and implement corrective actions for continuous improvement.
Manage the overall CapEx and OpEx budgets, including cost optimization, resource investment, and financial accountability.
Lead talent management, succession planning, and leadership development for direct reports, and ensure technical training across operational areas.
Ensure site-wide compliance with corporate policies, safety standards, and regulatory procedures.
Lead crisis management and business continuity planning.
Represent Junction City operations in senior leadership meetings and maintain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, industry, and service providers.
Lead organizational change initiatives and coordinate with regional and corporate functions to standardize processes and apply best practices.
Oversee, motivate, and develop employees; resolve conflicts, delegate responsibilities, and foster collaboration across nursery teams and other site functions.
Coordinate complex, overlapping operational activities while meeting timelines and operational, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with breeders and Regulatory, HSE, and quality assurance groups to achieve organizational objectives and maintain operational excellence.
Use metrics, KPIs, and analytics to identify operational trends and bottlenecks.