Program Management & Operational Performance Lead

About Syngenta Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture. About Us

At Syngenta, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. To support this challenge, we are currently seeking a Program Manager & Operational Performance Lead in Chicago. You will have dual accountability, Operational Performance and Program/Project Lead for Global Syngenta Infrastructure & Security.

This is a new role at Syngenta, and requires a highly motivated leader who is a broad analytical thinker to establish an operational performance practice within IT. You will report to the Head of Infrastructure & Security.

As Program/Project Lead you are responsible to deliver IT Infrastructure & Security projects to scope agreed and within budget, time and quality. The role needs to ensure the success of the project by managing all project phases, from Analysis and Plan to Implementation and Closure of project. You need to safeguard IT and Business systems and ensure that the target solution can be supported.

As Operational Performance Lead you are responsible for defining and implementing minimum operating standards across Infrastructure & Security at Syngenta. You will be responsible for leading operational continuous improvements as Infrastructure & Security take the next step in consistency, innovation, and technological advancement, where appropriate.

Accountabilities

• Define the minimum operational performance standards and maturity model to be deployed across Infrastructure & Security
• Ensure Infrastructure & Security management decisions are informed-by-the numbers so they can meet strategic goals and targets for quality, speed, and cost
• Understands operational performance and translates this into strategic and tactical plans to define and implement performance monitoring that create actionable insights and drive operational performance targets
• Regularly monitor progress and prepare result reporting for the Infrastructure & Security leadership team or their stakeholders
• Work with teams to identify performance monitoring tools and mentor small teams focused on rapid improvements as needed
• Engages the organization through activities such as webinars, and other learning sessions
• Identifies improvement projects by evaluating the organization for waste and complexity and identifying solutions
• Key performance indicators: Percent of KPIs with monitoring in place; Percent of KPIs meeting performance targets; Time, Cost or Errors saved as a result of operational performance standards

Requirements

• Experience of delivering performance improvement and transformation programs (20+ years)
• Post-Graduate level strategic thinking and analytical thinking
• Operational leadership experience in IT Service environment (15+ years)
• Life Sciences Biotech or Chemistry background
• Fluency in English, additional languages beneficial

Preferred Requirements

• Agile (Lean, Kanban, Six Sigma), DevOps, SRE or systems thinking experience
• Ability to communicating with all levels within the organization, motivate and coach others under their direct or indirect management. Listening and influencing to lead change throughout an organization
• Ability to interpret and analyze statistical data and financial reports, understand, and resolve technical difficulties, interface with internal engineering/technical experts and external technical representatives, and manage multiple priorities in a global organization

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, 9 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. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) (http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm) Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm) #LI-SB2