QA Process lead

Company Description

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

Job Description

Role purpose

• Quality Management & Oversight
• Lead Syngenta India's in-process quality management system
• Oversee seed sampling operations across dryers and storage units
• Conduct quality inspections at CTPs and dryer facilities
• Provide technical support for customer complaint investigations

• Ensure alignment with corporate quality policies and objectives

• Quality Standards & Compliance

• Drive adherence to Syngenta seed quality specifications

• Monitor and maintain quality standards across: Physical characteristics, Physiological parameters, Genetic purity and Sanitary requirements

• Ensure customer quality expectations are consistently met

• Operational Excellence

• Develop and implement seed sampling frameworks

• Establish quality inspection protocols
• Optimize resource allocation and infrastructure utilization
• Design and maintain quality control processes

• Lead process standardization initiatives

• Stakeholder Management

• Foster cross-functional collaboration within P&S Organization

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships across departments
• Facilitate effective communication channels
• Drive quality awareness across teams
• Quality Risk Management
• Identify and assess quality-related non-conformities
• Implement timely mitigation strategies
• Conduct comprehensive root cause analyses
• Execute and monitor corrective actions
• Maintain quality incident documentation

Accountabilities

• Effectively communicate quality goals, metrics, and feedback to drive team performance and maintain high standards. Collaborate across departments to establish and maintain robust product quality standards while fostering strong cross-functional relationships.
• Develop, review, and implement comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs) for Quality Assurance processes, ensuring thorough documentation and support across all functions. Regularly enhance these procedures to optimize operational performance.
• Coordinate seamlessly with Plant Operations teams, including Parent & Commercial Seeds, Processing, and Inventory & Warehousing departments to ensure quality alignment. Lead customer complaint investigations, conducting thorough RCA and implementing CAPA while supporting all involved functions.
• Deliver accurate and timely quality information through the SAP system, promoting a strong culture of reporting and transparency. Maintain unwavering focus on achieving zero defect delivery in Commercial and Parent Seeds operations while striving for higher recoveries and elimination of quality losses.
• Ensure timely operations aligned with business plans while proactively identifying and addressing safety concerns. Drive strict adherence to policies, procedures, and regulations across the team.
• Lead talent management initiatives, including training programs and performance evaluations. Identify and provide quality-related training, tools, and techniques to enhance team capabilities. Define clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality function roles and participate in conducting performance evaluations, including oversight of third-party assessments.
• Measure and effectively communicate team progress against established goals and KPIs while establishing robust reporting and feedback mechanisms for Quality Assurance programs. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall quality performance.

Qualifications

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge

• A bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university in relevant fields such as Biological Science, Agriculture, or related disciplines.
• Profound grasp of fundamental principles encompassing biology, biotechnology, seed science, seed production, processing, and seed quality control.
• Sound comprehension of Quality Assurance principles.
• Proficiency in supervision, training, and performance evaluation methodologies.
• Basic familiarity with SAP operations.
• Extensive knowledge of Seed Quality Control processes and Quality Management Systems.
• Well-versed in seed industry intricacies, capable of optimizing seed treatment, ensuring inventory quality, and navigating international trade regulations while fostering collaborations with external labs and governmental institutions.
• Strong foundation in biology, biotechnology, agriculture, seed production, quality control, Quality Assurance principles, QMS/ISO 9000 standards, and ISO17025 / ISTA accreditation standards.

Critical Experience

• Min 5 years of working experience in QC/QA /QMS in Seeds Production & Processing or in consumer goods manufacturing.
• Capability to understand operational processes focused on integrated product offers (Seeds )
• Experience in assessing a situation, identifying issues and developing solutions that result in efficiencies and/or process improvements.
• Experience with the implementation of corrective and preventive action programs
• Ability to adapt to change and work flexibly to overcome boundaries.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to adjust work schedule based on business requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Effective computer skills; Microsoft Office Software and other Company and discipline specific software applications.
• Strong communication skills both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to details.

Critical leadership capabilities

• Hardworking
• Teaching and training skills
• Planning skills
• Analytical Skills
• Good coordination skills, able to handle multiple tasks and follow through results.
• Demonstrate integrity and discipline, sets personal example of excellence.