AMEA Direct Procurement Specialist

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Role Purpose

Execute regional Direct Procurement operations across all Direct Procurement categories - Growers Commercial & Parent Production, Logistics, Production Services, and Non-Seeds & Discards - ensuring consistent, compliant, and value-driven sourcing execution within the assigned region. Serve as the primary regional procurement execution point, translating global category strategies into day-to-day sourcing actions, supplier management, and operational governance, while contributing regional market intelligence and performance data back to global category and strategy teams.

Category Execution & Sourcing Operations

• Execute sourcing activities across Direct Procurement categories - Growers Commercial & Parent Production, Logistics (Carriers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers), Production Services (Tollers & Field Services), and Non-Seeds & Discards (Production Inputs, Seed Treatment, Packaging & Discards) within the region, aligned with global governance and supporting the global category strategies defined by Category Managers.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities for assigned Seeds Direct spend categories in partnership with regional production teams, including market intelligence, demand and supplier management, sourcing and contract negotiation, and supplier selection; and provide escalation support for purchase order and invoice exceptions managed by the production team.
• Ensure sourcing execution is aligned with global category priorities, commercial frameworks, and approved supplier panels.
• Coordinate with global Category Managers to translate category strategies into operational sourcing actions within the region.
• Track and report category spend, volume, and supplier performance data at the regional level to support global category intelligence.
• Act as point of contact for local operations to support production requirements.

Supplier Relationship Management & Performance

• Manage day-to-day relationships with regional suppliers, aligned into the TOM model, across assigned Direct Procurement categories, serving as the primary operational contact for supplier interactions.
• Monitor supplier performance against contractual KPIs, service levels, and quality standards - escalating issues to global Category Managers as required.
• Influence new innovative pricing models that support long term alignment and growth.
• Support contract implementation and compliance at the regional level, ensuring suppliers adhere to agreed terms, pricing, and obligations.
• Identify supplier performance risks and opportunities within the region and communicate findings to the global Category Manager and Operations & Strategy Manager.
• Participate in supplier review meetings, segmentation discussions, and contribute to regional operational data and insights to global category and supplier strategy discussions.

Procurement Governance, Compliance & Data Integrity

• Ensure all regional procurement activities comply with Syngenta's procurement policies, internal controls, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.
• Maintain accurate and complete procurement records in SAP and support systems, ensuring data integrity across purchase orders, contracts, supplier master data, and spend transactions.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate operational documentation and compliance evidence for the region.
• Identify and report compliance gaps or process deviations within the region, working with the Operations & Strategy Manager to implement corrective actions.
• Apply global procurement tools, templates, and workflows consistently across all regional sourcing activities.

Cross-Category & Cross-Regional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Operations & Strategy Manager, global Category Managers (Growers, Logistics, Prod. Services, Non-Seeds & Discards), and the Sourcing Strategy Manager to ensure regional execution is aligned with global priorities.
• Share regional market intelligence, supplier insights, and execution learnings with global category teams to inform strategy development and refinement.
• Coordinate with other regional specialists (AMEA, BRZ, EUR, LAT, NA) to share best practices, align on common supplier issues, and support cross-regional sourcing initiatives.
• Act as the regional interface with Supply Chain, Finance, Agronomy, and Production teams to align procurement execution with operational planning and demand requirements.
• Participate in global Direct Procurement community forums and knowledge-sharing sessions facilitated by the Sourcing Strategy Manager.

Performance Tracking, Reporting & Value Realization

• Track and report regional procurement performance metrics, including savings delivery, PPV realization, supplier on-time performance, and PO compliance, in alignment with the global PPV framework.
• Support the Prioritization, Productivity & Value Tracking (PPV) Specialist in consolidating regional data for global performance reporting.
• Identify and escalate procurement value opportunities within the region, including cost reduction, process efficiency, and supplier consolidation, to Category Managers and the Operations & Strategy Manager.
• Contribute regional input for strategic sourcing projects and transformation workstreams, providing ground-level operational insight.
• Maintain visibility over regional spend pipelines, sourcing calendars, and contract renewal schedules, flagging risks and opportunities proactively.

• Minimum 4-6 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or sourcing operations, ideally in agribusiness, agricultural inputs, or production services.
• Hands-on experience managing supplier relationships and executing sourcing processes across multiple spend categories.
• Experience operating in a multi-regional or matrix environment, interfacing with global teams.
• Track record of delivering against procurement KPIs including cost targets, compliance standards, and service levels.
• Experience with SAP or equivalent procurement ERP systems for operational procurement execution.
• Strong operational discipline - structured, process-oriented, and detail-focused in managing procurement execution.
• Analytical skills to track spend, monitor supplier performance, and contribute to value reporting.
• Clear and effective communication - ability to interface with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and global teams.
• Collaborative mindset - works effectively in a global matrix without direct authority.
• Adaptability - comfortable managing multiple categories and shifting priorities within a dynamic operational environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and procurement systems (SAP/S4, sourcing platforms).