Digital Portfolio & Transformation Lead AMEA & JANZ

Company Description

At the Syngenta Group, our 56,000 people across more than 90 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world's most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Website address - https://www.syngentagroup.com/

Job Description

Role purpose

The AMEA R&D Digital Portfolio & Transformation Lead is a strategic role responsible for driving CPD's digital transformation journey within the AMEA & JANZ regions. This role owns and executes the regional digital vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with the global digital transformation roadmap while addressing the unique needs and opportunities of each region.

• Owns the AMEA & JANZ regions' CPD digital transformation vision and strategy, coordinating implementation across regional functions
• Works with regional functions to define a digitally transformed future, including capabilities and ways of working, to deliver the comprehensive CPD Digital Strategy
• Serves as the face of digital transformation in AMEA & JANZ regions, actively promoting initiatives in leadership and employee forums
• Help shape governance frameworks that support the scaling of sustainable digital assets and capabilities across the regions
• Identifies strategic gaps in regional functions' use cases, prioritize and mobilize initiatives that drive productivity gains and deliver better products to customers
• Creates close partnerships with regional leadership, functional teams, R&D Digital, R&D IT, and Communication teams to drive seamless execution
• Catalyzes organizational value by championing a data-driven culture, promoting data sharing, best practices, and cross-functional use cases.

Accountability

Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop and continuously refine the regional CPD digital and data transformation strategy, aligning with global vision and focusing on key value drivers: improving product values, faster delivery to market, and driving productivity
• Collaborate with regional leadership to define a digital transformation roadmap with clear priorities and measurable goals
• Oversee execution of digital transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment across all regional functions
• Identify and assess emerging technologies and best practices to incorporate into the regional digital strategy

Accountability

Strategy Development and Execution

• Develop and continuously refine the regional CPD digital and data transformation strategy, aligning with global vision and focusing on key value drivers: improving product values, faster delivery to market, and driving productivity
• Collaborate with regional leadership to define a digital transformation roadmap with clear priorities and measurable goals
• Oversee execution of digital transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment across all regional functions
• Identify and assess emerging technologies and best practices to incorporate into the regional digital strategy

Portfolio Management in Digital & Data solution development

• Establish robust governance mechanisms to identify, prioritize, and manage a portfolio of digital projects across the regions
• Ensure disciplined implementation and optimal resource utilization of digital initiatives
• Lead the implementation of digital solutions across the end-to-end crop protection development process
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track progress and measure impact on key R&D metrics

Change Management and Capability Building

• Act as a catalyst for cultural change, fostering a digital-first mindset within regional teams
• Implement a comprehensive digital capability matrix for R&D functions that identifies skill gaps and informs targeted training programs
• Promote digital upskilling and adoption of new technologies and processes
• Bridge the gap between digital solution development and senior R&D leadership

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across different functions and regions
• Effectively communicate the digital transformation vision, strategy, and progress to all regional stakeholders
• Represent the AMEA & JANZ regions in global digital transformation forums and initiatives
• Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between global and regional digital transformation efforts

Governance and Performance Measurement

• Establish regional governance frameworks to monitor and measure the progress of digital initiatives
• Define and track ROI delivered through regional digital transformation efforts
• Regularly report on status, challenges, and achievements to key stakeholders
• Continuously evaluate and optimize the digital strategy based on performance data and emerging trends
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and data privacy standards

Qualifications

Critical knowledge

• Degree in Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Deep understanding of the end-to-end crop protection development process and R&D organizations in AMEA & JANZ regions
• Strategic thinking and passion for digital technology with strong knowledge of digital science and technology methods and tools
• Deep appreciation of the value and opportunities in data and digital transformation, including AI/ML, data analytics, and data platforms
• Good knowledge of agribusiness specific to AMEA & JANZ regions (crop protection, bio-stimulants, biologicals, new technologies)
• Understanding of project management methodologies and digital portfolio management (e.g., Agile, Jira, Confluence)
• Familiarity with data governance, compliance requirements, and privacy standards relevant to the regions

Critical experience

• 8 – 10 years of professional experience in a relevant field, with at least 5 years involving research and development in agribusiness or closely related to similar industries.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering digital transformation initiatives within the AMEA & JANZ regions or comparable complex organizations
• Experience in influencing organizations and successfully delivering change management programs
• Experience managing a portfolio of digital projects, including prioritization, resource allocation, and risk management
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across different cultures and geographies, with particular emphasis on AMEA & JANZ regional dynamics
• Experience in building digital literacy and capabilities within an organization
• Demonstrated experience in translating global strategies into regional implementation plans.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to manoeuvre in complex and uncertain situations with multiple stakeholders and conflicting interests
• Highly collaborative – works effectively with others to connect and support them to succeed
• Ability to drive seemingly complicated and diverse processes to the required level of simplicity and uniformity
• Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, monitoring, and control
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess problems and conflicts and resolve them effectively
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence and gain support from decision-makers
• Ability to act as a change agent and help people adapt to change
• Works and thinks independently, creatively, and innovatively
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluent in English, with additional regional language skills highly valued

Critical leadership capabilities

• Ability to inspire and motivate teams across regions to embrace digital transformation
• Builds a culture of innovation and change – creates an environment that inspires and supports creativity and transformation
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse regional stakeholders
• Manages for performance – skilfully plans, organizes, and monitors performance to achieve excellence in delivery
• Courage to cut through complexity, decide, defend, and own a technical position while bringing the organization along on a critical change journey
• Accountable for leading self authentically and others either directly or indirectly
• Proactive communication and alignment with stakeholders at all levels
• Strategic thinking with the ability to focus on delivering what matters for the region while maintaining global alignment
• Open-minded thinking – beyond current practices and structures