Quality Lead - FC R&D

Role Purpose

The Quality Management Lead for FC R&D India is responsible for establishing, driving, and sustaining a strong quality culture across all R&D functions and field sites. The role ensures compliance with Syngenta quality standards, sustainability requirements, stewardship norms, and regulatory guidelines. The incumbent will lead internal audits, manage non-conformities (NC) and opportunities for improvement (OFI), maintain documentation systems, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational excellence and risk mitigation in R&D.

Accountabilities

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the R&D Quality Management System (QMS) across FC R&D India.
• Drive a quality-first culture through structured training, awareness programs, capability-building, and routine engagement with site/function leads.
• Ensure regulatory, stewardship, biosafety, and compliance adherence across all R&D operations in alignment with global and regional standards.
• Develop, implement, and monitor quality processes, SOPs, work instructions, and documentation systems for labs, nurseries, farms, Trialing stations, trialing field and greenhouse/polyhouses operations.
• Lead and coordinate internal quality audits, vendor audits (where applicable), and site compliance assessments.
• Manage and track Non-Conformities (NC), Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA), and Opportunities for Improvement (OFI) with timely closure.
• Drive sustainability and continuous improvement projects aligned with Syngenta R&D objectives.
• Conduct risk assessments, define mitigation actions, and ensure preventive quality controls in field and lab operations.
• Facilitate monthly quality connect meetings, dashboard preparation, KPI tracking, and reporting to R&D leadership.
• Support digitalization and data integrity initiatives ensuring audit-ready documentation and process visibility.
• Collaborate with regional/global R&D quality teams to harmonize practices, adopt best standards, and ensure consistent implementation.
• Provide quality oversight and support during experiments, trials, germplasm movements, seed production research operations, and any critical R&D workflows.
• Lead incident investigation, root-cause analysis, and coaching teams on problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, LSS).
• Ensure strong vendor quality coordination where services impact R&D processes.

Syngenta Leadership Capabilities

• Customer Focus & Quality Orientation
• Collaborative Spirit & Influencing Skills
• Change Leadership & Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Operational Discipline & Risk Management
• Strategic Execution & Problem Solving
• Developing Self and Others

• Professional Background: 5–10 years of relevant professional experience in [Insert Industry/Field, e.g., Operations, Supply Chain, or Project Management].
• Stakeholder Management: Proven track record of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders to achieve business objectives.

Technical Skills & Competencies:

• Data Management: Strong proficiency in data management, including the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret complex datasets to drive informed decision-making.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify process gaps and implement data-driven solutions.

Certifications (Good to have):

• Six Sigma: Green Belt certification is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage.

Travel: Up to 10–20% domestic travel to R&D field stations, farms, nurseries, and partner locations, as required.

Working Conditions: Combination of laboratory, field, and office environments with strong adherence to stewardship and associated concept’s guidelines.