Nursery Operations Quality Specialist

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States

The Nursery Operations Quality Specialist will serve as the functional lead to the NA Nursery Operations Teams, focusing on Slater and Nevada activities, and will have additional responsibilities within the NA Quality Team supporting the NA region. This role enables field compliance, quality assurance, and quality control practices for multiple crops within regulated and deregulated pipeline delivery. You will work closely with the Operations Manager and Line Purity Lead to support the Nursery Operations Team’s efforts to produce quality, quantity, and timely seed.

Provide expert guidance, leadership, and mentoring to the team, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement through influence.

Provide comprehensive quality system management and compliance support for operational activities, including Quality Assurance, Document Management, Management of Change, Nonconformity Management, Audits, and Training Management.

Accountabilities:

• Lead daily QA/QC activities across nursery operations, focusing on critical processes including pollination, detasseling, rouging, packaging, and seed sampling.
• Oversee quality documentation and serve as key user for the Reliance QMS tool, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS).
• Analyze quality data and metrics to identify trends, drive improvements, and support Site Leadership Team reporting.
• Design and implement quality training programs, including new employee onboarding and effectiveness validation.
• Manage nonconformity processes, root cause analysis, and corrective actions across operations.
• Lead internal audits and quality reviews while maintaining seed retention inventory compliance.
• Coordinate Management of Change processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as key liaison between seed owners and operations teams, ensuring effective communication and quality standards alignment.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biology, or related field, or 5+ years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed development, seed research, seed production, or plant breeding environments.
• Clear understanding of Quality Management and Stewardship guidelines applicable to nursery seed production.
• Ability to build relationships, influence, and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other standard office software.
• Ability to use and support proprietary IT systems.
• Expert knowledge of the practices and procedures that affect nursery operations.

Desired:

• Lean Six Sigma certification and/or Operational Excellence experience is a plus.
• Experience working with regulated and stewarded field trials is a plus.

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, 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.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

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.

WL: 3A

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