Job Description

At Syngenta Vegetables and Flowers, we're cultivating tomorrow's diversity through innovative breeding that brings vibrant colors to gardens and nutritious vegetables to tables worldwide. We combine centuries of seed heritage with cutting-edge innovation to develop resilient, high-performing varieties that thrive in diverse climates. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture, where every seed holds the potential to enhance lives through better nutrition and natural beauty.

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta's Fruity Crop Technology Center in El Ejido, Almería, Spain is seeking a Seed Operations Specialist

This role will support the agronomy program at our state-of-the-art facility, helping to establish and improve agricultural practices while learning and applying new technologies for trial management within a regulated, high-biosafety environment. The successful candidate will execute farming activities in growth chambers and high-tech greenhouses, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that deliver high-quality products efficiently and sustainably.

• Execute farming operations in growth chambers and high-tech greenhouses, including sowing, planting, crop development, climate management, pest/disease monitoring, and phytosanitary treatments.
• Support trial management by collecting and organizing quantitative and qualitative data, contributing observations and recommendations to ensure quality, quantity, and timeliness standards.
• Apply new technologies and tools in daily operations, identifying opportunities for process improvements aligned with R&D strategy.
• Coordinate activities with Syngenta employees and third-party labor, building effective relationships across Breeders, T&T, Marketing, Sales, and Farm Staff.
• Ensure biosafety and HSE compliance by following all safety rules, completing required training, and promoting adherence to regulations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, participating in networks to learn best practices and support standardization efforts.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in agronomy, greenhouse crop management, or precision agriculture, including familiarity with local regulations.
• Experience with data collection and organization in agricultural or research settings.
• Knowledge of horticultural crops and plant breeding principles.

Technical Skills

• Skill in Excel (pivot tables, data analysis) and digital tools (e.g., Smartsheet).
• Conversational English to communicate effectively with diverse teams on and off the station.
• Understanding of sustainability and environmental practices; exposure to robotics and automation is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Ability to coordinate tasks and collaborate with team members and external labor.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with commitment to quality standards and learning.
• Effective communication skills with ability to work across departments.
• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic R&D environment

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in regulated facilities or controlled environment agriculture.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Exposure to advanced agricultural technologies and automation systems.

Additional Information

Location: El Ejido, Almería, Spain
Work Environment: Fruity Crop Technology Center with growth chambers and high-tech greenhouses
Team: Collaborative Operations team working with Breeders, T&T, Marketing, and Sales functions

What we offer

• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous events throughout the year.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A role that contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.
• Learning culture and a wide range of development options, including access to learning platforms (Degreed and LinkedIn Learning)

Syngenta es una empresa que fomenta la igualdad de trato y oportunidades, y no hace sesgos por razón de género, color, religión, origen nacional, edad, orientación sexual, estado civil o de veterano, discapacidad o cualquier otra condición, durante los procesos de reclutamiento, contratación, formación, promoción o cualquier otra práctica de empleo.