Country R&D Operations Manager

The Country R&D Operations Manager is responsible for managing and developing country-level R&D facilities and operations in alignment with the global R&D strategy. This role ensures seamless operations across budgeting, compliance, facility development, people management, and network building.

Key Responsibilities

Country R&D Facility Development

? Translate the Global R&D strategy for global operations and global facility development plans

at the country level in consultation and alignment with the Global Head for R&D Operations

? Take the lead in the planning and development of plans for any CAPEX investment related to

R&D facility development in alignment with the Global Head for R&D Operations.

? Manage OpEx budget and capacity planning in alignment with Global Head for R&D

Operations scheduling with Farm users in Breeding, Research, Trials; Coordinates the

resolution of gaps between requested activities and approved budget.

? Cascade the country R&D operations plan and facility development with the country R&D

teams to ensure awareness and alignment.

Country Research Facility and Farm Operations Management

? Develop and oversee the country R&D operations ensuring compliance with global R&D

operational protocols

? Ensure research facilities are properly maintained and develop workplace efforts to protect the

health and safety of all employees and visitors

? Work closely and supervise the Farming Operations Manager and/or Farming Specialists in

the various R&D stations within the country to ensure trial success and efficient farm/research

operations

? Develop and implement cost-effective and efficient management systems in the research

facility and farming/research operations

? Drive operational excellence in the facility by ensuring that work processes related to the

day-to-day operations are compliant with the quality standards and protocol set by the

company

? Conduct farm operations performance review and ensure that R&D KPIs are met and/or

actions plans are in place to course-correct.

? Ensure seamless work coordination and accurate, timely information flow within R&D, to and

from R&D onto other departments (FS, SS, SPD, PDS and Marketing & Sales) involved in the

various R&D activities.

? Help supervises local breeding projects at the request of a CBM or by the Group Breeding

Manager.

? Prepare reports and documents required by management.

? Manage, support and direct the farm team and breeding related activities in line with the farm

plan, guidelines and procedures and corporate values and vision within EWIN to ensure an

efficient and effective operating farm team.

? Ensure technology transfer to the farm and breeding teams, monitor the operational activities

within the team and ensure equipment and supplies to meet agreed standards, time planning

and budgets, contribute to an efficient and effective operations team.

? Optimization of existing farming technologies and protocols in relevant areas like crop

protection, greenhouse, cells, tunnels, open fields and other farming practices keeping aware

of new developments in farming systems.

? Input in the development and implementation of new technologies for greenhouse, cells,

tunnels, and open field in partnership with stakeholders in technical departments,

phytopathology, hygiene etc., and in response to changing customer needs and adaptation of

best practice.

? Drive scientific principles in the farms, experimentation with clearly documented outcomes to

generate transferable knowledge and identify new opportunities.

? Input in discipline initiatives beyond site, growing with seniority from focus on local work in

regional to global agronomical topics.

Financial Management

? Plan, manage and monitor efficient utilization of approved budget signed off/approved by the

Global Head for Operations and aligned with the Country Finance Manager

? Initiate cost optimization initiatives , wherever applicable, to generate cost savings or control

unnecessary increases in operating costs.

? Ensure compliance to processes that provide business control, reporting, time capturing etc.

for farm/s.

? Proactively discuss problems and shortfalls with line management.

? Monitoring and execution of operational farm budget, monthly forecast of the farm costs,

adjustments/provisions in farm budgets as per the real and specific situations.

People Management

? Plan and implement workforce requirements in consultation with group functional managers on

strategic plans/directions of R&D.

? Oversee the timely recruitment and hiring for approved open positions in coordination with the

functional manager and global HR partner/s.

? Manage the overall performance of the team by setting clear KPIs at the start of the year,

conducting regular reviews, providing feedback and coaching, and ensuring individual plans

are in place

? Ensure the conduct of regular performance reviews with direct reports and provide feedback

and coaching opportunities to ensure they successfully meet or exceed performance

expectations.

? Develop team capability and improve talent bench strength through identifying competency

gaps, hiring high-potential talents, and training the team (technical and leadership) in

coordination and collaboration with functional manager and HR.

Network Development and Regulatory Compliance

? Builds extensive network within the technical, professional, industry, government, academic

and public community in the country to promote regular exchange of information and practices

that may contribute to or support EWS operations.

? Represents EWS and participates in important forums/conferences in the country where

important seed-business related topics are tackled especially those that involve regulatory

requirements.

? Ensures that all local regulatory requirements of the country are complied with and risks that

may have an adverse impact on EWS operations are acted upon / resolved with no delay.

Education:

? Bachelors degree or M.Sc in Agronomy/Horticulture, Operations Management, Business

Administration or its relevant field

Experience:

? Minimum 15 years of relevant work experience

? Proven track record of leading successfully a team

? Excellent project management skills, attention to details, ability to prioritize

? Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills

? Strong business and financial acumen

? Proactive and has continuous improvement mindset

? Ability to work under pressure and work in a fast-paced environment

? Proactive, continuous improvement mindset, good interpersonal skills.