Business Operations Lead
Durham, NC - USA
Job Summary
Syngentas 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 Syngentas Portfolio and Project Management Team is seeking a Business Operations Lead in Durham NC. This role will serve as the connective tissue between Seeds R&D leadership and critical business partners (Finance HR Quality Productivity Sustainability Risk Management) orchestrating cross-functional alignment and enabling data-driven decision-making across a complex global-regional operating model.
The Business Operations Lead is a strategic integrator and transformation driver within the Seeds R&D Business Operations function. This position owns initiatives from strategy through sustained implementation combining management consulting rigor with hands-on program execution and long-term operational tracking. The role architects enterprise-level processes that flex appropriately across geographies while maintaining global coherence balancing standardization with necessary regional adaptation.
The ideal candidate brings a consultants problem-solving toolkit with an operators delivery mindset: someone who can diagnose organizational friction design scalable solutions mobilize diverse stakeholders across matrix structures and remain accountable through the messy middle of implementation and beyond. Success requires navigating ambiguity translating between technical and executive audiences and building durable operating mechanisms that outlast individual projects.
Accountabilities:
- Drive cross-functional transformation initiatives end-to-end from strategy development through implementation and sustained operational integration across Finance HR Quality Risk Management and R&D Operations.
- Architect enterprise operating models and governance frameworks that work across global and regional structures balancing standardization with necessary local flexibility.
- Translate executive vision into executable plans structure ambiguous complex problems into clear roadmaps mobilize diverse stakeholder teams and deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Build strategic partnerships across business functions serve as the integrator who connects dots surfaces hidden risks/opportunities and enables high-quality decision-making.
- Create executive-ready insights and communications synthesize complex data into compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
- Own the outcome not just the plan stay through implementation and sustainment ensuring solutions stick and deliver lasting value (this is not a recommend and hand-off consulting role).
Qualifications :
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring current or future sponsorship (which also includes OPT/CPT and H-1B visas).
Required:
- 7 years in management consulting corporate strategy transformation/change management or enterprise PMO leadership.
- Proven track record owning initiatives from strategy through implementation to sustainment (not just creating plans and handing off).
- Experience in global matrix organizations with regional sub-structures; comfortable balancing standardization with local customization.
- Cross-functional fluency: Track record partnering across Finance HR Operations Quality and/or Risk Management functions.
- Structured problem-solving and hypothesis-driven thinking.
- Influencing without authority across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Executive communication: PowerPoint storytelling and presentation skills for C-suite audiences.
- Analytical capability: Financial modeling data synthesis business case development.
Desired:
- Background in biotech pharma agriculture or R&D-intensive industries.
- M&A integration or post-merger operating model experience.
- Exposure to ERP implementations governance frameworks or regulatory/quality environments.
- MBA or advanced degree.
- Additional languages beyond English.
- Change management certification (Prosci ADKAR).
Additional Information :
Salary for this position ranges from $106400 - $152000 annually.
What We Offer:
- A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration 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 Paid Holidays Maternity and Paternity Leave Education Assistance Wellness Programs Corporate Discounts among other benefits.
Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: 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.
WL: 5B
#LI-Hybrid
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time
About Company
To help feed 10 billion people while reducing emissions and improve biodiversity. This is our mission as the global agriculture technology leader. With 59,000 employees in more than 100 countries and hundreds of thousands of agricultural partners worldwide, we are committed to transfo ... View more