Operations Specialist Jobs in Iowa

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities. We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance. Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.

Manage regulated seed cold-storage operations to ensure material is received, stored, tracked, retrieved, and distributed in full compliance with stewardship, biosafety, phytosanitary, and documentation requirements. Provide flexible operational support to Corn Trait Introgression activities in controlled-environment settings, supporting embryo rescue, sampling, transplanting, pollinations, plant care, harvest among others.

Accountabilities:

• Receive, inspect, label, inventory, organize, and store regulated seed according to approved procedures.
• Maintain accurate physical and electronic seed inventory records, including chain-of-custody and material movement documentation.
• Monitor cold-storage conditions, equipment performance, access controls, and general storage-area organization.
• Retrieve, package, prepare, and coordinate distribution or shipment of seed to meet project and operational timelines.
• Maintain stewardship, biosafety, phytosanitary, safety, and quality requirements for all regulated materials.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, resolve or escalate issues, and support corrective actions as needed.
• Support internal audits, inspections, inventory reconciliations, and continuous-improvement activities.
• Coordinate with project teams and operational partners to ensure regulated seed availability and traceability.
• Use and develop data visualization applications (Power BI, Smartsheet’s etc) to track KPIs and progress of activities
• Support Corn TI controlled-environment activities.
• Activities will include embryo rescue, prepare plant tissue samples, label / stage seed and related materials for planting and other operational activities.
• Support planting, transplanting, pollinations, crop maintenance, harvest, seed processing, and regulated-material movements in controlled environments.
• Complete activity records accurately and on time, maintaining traceability and compliance throughout the crop cycle.
• Follow all applicable controlled-environment, stewardship, biosafety, and safety procedures.
• Provide flexible support across Corn TI priorities as seasonal workload and operational needs require.

• Candidates must already be located in the United States and do not require visa sponsorship now or in the future (includes OPT).
• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, plant science, horticulture, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in agriculture, ideally in plant breeding or greenhouse / control environment operations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexibility to work weekends, overtime, and holidays as needed.
• Knowledge of plant propagation (including embryo rescue), greenhouse management, plant cycling, and GM traits.
• Highly organized and able to manage complex processes requiring multiple functions or teams working together
• Adherence to all company, state, and governmental stewardship, regulatory, and HSE requirements to maintain Syngenta’s freedom to operate
• Ability and motivation to learn, experiment with and deploy new technologies and/or protocols
• Relentless focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Good computer skills and proficiency with MS Office and corporate software.
• Ability to work effectively in greenhouse, lab, and field conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

What We Offer

• A culture that celebrates belonging & collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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