Team Leader Horticulture (m/f/d)

About the job

Company Description

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Crop Protection, we develop pioneering solutions that protect global food security while promoting sustainable agriculture. As a world market leader headquartered in Switzerland, we empower farmers with innovative crop protection technologies that defend against nature's toughest challenges. We combine advanced science with digital solutions to develop intelligent crop protection that maximises yields while minimising environmental impact. Join us in our mission to revolutionise crop protection from sowing to harvest.

Did you know that Syngenta holds the Friendly Working Space certificate?

Health Promotion Switzerland recognises Syngenta's commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees and awards all Swiss locations with the "Friendly Work Space" label. At Syngenta, the health and wellbeing of employees are key to business success. Read more here: https://friendlyworkspace.ch/de/das-label/das-sind-die-label-friendly-work-space-betriebe

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture, providing high-quality seed and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta's hiring team is seeking an onsite Team Leader Horticulture (m/f/d) in Stein, Switzerland.

For our horticulture team in Stein AG, we are looking for a committed leader who produces high-quality plant material for biological research – actively shaping innovation, digitalisation, and team culture.

Your Responsibilities

Production & Quality

• Planning and execution of all horticultural tasks as well as provision of soil mixtures in consistently high quality
• Quality management of plant propagation including demand-oriented measures
• Development and optimisation of propagation methods to increase quality and process efficiency

Digitalisation & Innovation

• Driving the digitalisation of greenhouse processes and quality assurance
• Identifying improvement opportunities and automation potentials (e.g. irrigation) and actively supporting their implementation
• Use of digital tools for planning, documentation, and reporting

Leadership & Collaboration

• Overall responsibility for personnel management and technical matters of the team
• Representation of plant production in cross-functional teams; close collaboration with research and engineering
• Independent problem-solving and transparent communication

Safety & Compliance

• Ensuring up-to-date risk analyses, work regulations, and permits; regular staff training
• Professional management, documentation, and presentation of internal team projects

Qualifications

Professional Qualifications

• Completed training as a master gardener, environmental engineer FH horticulture, or comparable, with several years of professional experience
• Leadership experience, ideally in a matrix organisation
• Affinity for technology, digitalisation, and automation; MS Office skills
• Fluent German and English skills (B2–C1); driving licence advantageous

Personal Strengths - Syngenta Leadership Behaviours

• Curious – Inquisitive, open to new technologies, questions the status quo
• Collaborative – Works at eye level, shares knowledge, promotes team growth
• Accountable – High sense of responsibility, open error culture, respect for people and the environment
• Courageous – Addresses challenges directly, takes responsibility, drives change
• Willingness to occasionally work on Sundays and public holidays

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Responsible key role with genuine opportunities to shape process optimisation and digital transformation
• Recognition as a "Friendly Work Space" – Syngenta actively commits to the health and wellbeing of its employees
• Respectful, collegial working atmosphere where new ideas are actively encouraged
• Measurable contribution to global food security
• Integration into an international, scientifically driven research environment

Application

Do you feel addressed? We look forward to receiving your complete online application including CV, cover letter, certificates, and diplomas, quoting the reference number.

Syngenta is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices on the basis of race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.