Global Head of Research Chemistry

About the job

Company Description

At Syngenta Crop Protection, we're pioneering solutions that safeguard global food security while championing 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 unite advanced science with digital solutions to develop intelligent crop protection that maximizes yields while minimizing environmental impact. Join our mission of revolutionizing plant protection from seed to harvest.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Magazine, and it has been awarded with the "Friendly Work Space" label to all its Swiss sites.

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success.
To support this mission, we are seeking a Global Head of Research Chemistry to provide people and strategic leadership for our Chemical Research to strengthen innovation. 

As Head of Research Chemistry, you will be accountable for delivering chemical activities focused on the discovery and optimization of new active ingredients for all indications, in line with Syngenta Crop Protection R&D strategy. As a leader of the Research Chemistry Leadership Team and a key member of the Chemical Research Leadership Team, you will energize a global organization—fostering a culture where innovation thrives and scientific excellence drives business value.

This is a rare opportunity for a visionary chemistry leader to own the future of Research Chemistry on a global stage. You will set and execute a clear strategy that turns scientific and business priorities into impact, lead and inspire a diverse organization of 300+ colleagues across Switzerland, the UK, and India, and drive a digital-first transformation powered by data, AI, predictive science, automation, and generative chemistry—to accelerate innovation and raise the bar in synthesis and chemical design. With accountability, curiosity, courage, and collaboration at the core of your leadership, you will actively role-model and embed these behaviours across the organization—building trust through transparent communication, consistent follow-through, and robust decision-making and alignment systems that improve speed and clarity. You will build strong cross-functional partnerships across R&D and deliver differentiated, high-value solutions that create a clear competitive edge and maximize the impact of chemistry for the business and beyond

Key Accountabilities

• Pipeline Delivery: ensures delivery of all aspects of research chemistry to support the innovation and promotion of research candidates to development in line with CP business needs.
• HSE Leadership: Champion a world-class HSE culture and drive continuous safety improvements across all chemical activities.
• Scientific Excellence: Set high standards for functional excellence, fostering innovation and robust methodologies across the global function.
• Strategic Alignment: Translate R&D objectives into actionable chemistry strategies that drive long-term business value.
• Talent & Culture: Foster a creative environment that promotes curiosity, courage, accountability, and collaboration, attracting, developing and retaining scientific talents.
• Digital Transformation: Accelerate innovation by developing and integrating AI, predictive science, automation and enabling generative chemistry.
• Resource & Budget Management: Execute effective cost management and balance resources and make informed trade-offs to prioritize high-impact strategic outputs.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead the Chemistry Leadership Team and partner across R&D to ensure seamless delivery of chemical research goals.
• Influential enterprise leadership: Build strong relationships and trust with cross-functional partners and senior stakeholders to advance shared priorities and maximize value of chemical research to the business
• External Influence: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with leading academic and industrial research organizations

Qualifications

• PhD with post-doc in Chemistry. Deep knowledge of modern chemistry across stage plans (discovery and optimization research), including synthesis, design and chemical technologies
• 10+ years in research leadership roles, preferably in agriculture or life sciences
• Proven track record of success in leading and delivering major/complex projects
• Experience leading large and global teams across multiple geographies and ability to develop high-performing teams. Role model in science and leadership
• Experience in leading digital transformation in Research and data-enabled innovation
• Understanding of external innovation ecosystems and emerging technologies
• Exposure to multiple CP Product Lines and portfolios
• Experience in working in a matrix organization
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to define and execute a compelling global Research Chemistry strategy, translating scientific and business priorities into clear direction, focus, and impact
• Achieves results: proven track record of strong-results orientation and customer-centric innovation
• Role modeled learn and grow behavior while fostering a strong learning culture across teams
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, change and complexity—balancing speed, quality, and cost while building trust and momentum in a demanding environment

Additional Information

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including:

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment
• The opportunity to make a difference to process safety, both within Syngenta’s global operations, and in shaping safety legislation and culture worldwide
• A superb working environment with an open culture and diverse workforce where new ideas are always welcome
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options
• You will profit from a competitive pension fund plan, flexible working, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, fitness room, canteen, and other benefits such as Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance

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.

Please send your complete application with your English CV, diploma and work certificates (if applicable).

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