Sr. Soy Quality & Seed Production Technology Manager

at BASF in Champaign, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Now hiring! Sr. Soy Quality & Seed Production Technology Manager

Champaign, IL – remote

We are looking for a Sr. Soy Quality & Seed Production Technology Manager to join our Agricultural Solutions team in Champaign, IL. This is a remote role – preferably near Champaign, IL, Iowa, or other Illinois locations.

Come create chemistry with us!

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division connects innovation, customers, partners and agricultural experts and integrates sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We help farmers deliver the best possible outcomes, working to achieve the balance between economic, environmental and social value creation for sustainable and efficient agriculture.

The Sr. Soy Quality & Seed Production Technology Manager is a multi-faceted role. As Sr. Quality Manager, this position has primary responsibilities as company “expert” in soybean seed Quality Management and to ensure a strong QMS & QC culture in maintained. This includes developing and implementing new quality processes; establishing quality standards and testing for the introduction of all new soy genetics and traits; collaborating with senior leadership in NA Seeds Supply, Global Seeds Excellence, and our R&D breeding teams; and to develop controls, audit procedures, and process improvements in seed quality.

This position is also responsible as Seed Production Technology expert to lead and implement new seed production research technologies; develop field data management systems, and related data analysis; develop, test, and implement new and existing seed treatments technologies. As a senior seed production “expert,” this position will operate as a liaison communicating with senior leadership experts in Regulatory, Legal, Sustainability, and Global Product Stewardship and exchange expertise with the commercial soy seed production team for new and future trait releases.

As a Sr. Soy Quality & Seed Production Technology Manager, you create chemistry by…

+ Being accountable to lead BASF’s overall soybean seed quality management program in NA soybean seeds supply, including the day-to-day management of our soybean seed production quality processes, and network of seed testing labs and systems. Scope includes leadership of quality management, quality assurance, and quality control processes for all foundation seed and commercial 3rd party soybean seed multiplier production facilities.

+ Assisting with service calls to sites or fields as it relates to seed quality and product performance issues. Provides oversight of internal and external non-conformances (NCM’s) and develops appropriate improvements using our CAPA processes.

+ Leading and coordinating process documentation and related training for both internal and external 3rd party partners.

+ Acting as our expert liaison to BASF’s global product stewardship group, and ensure all required protocols are conveyed and executed in foundation & commercial production for any regulated and directed use production, and will coordinate the launch of all new and future traits from our R&D programs in commercial production. This includes both domestic and counter season production in South America.

+ Leading our “upstream” seed treating activities at all our internal and 3rd party production treatment sites.

+ Collaborating with our commercial and marketing soy business leaders, the agronomic services team, and the crop protection seed treatment colleagues, to explore, test, transition and implement new seed treatment technologies as needed.

+ Working closely with production planning & commercial production managers, with planning and executing production schedules at our assigned seed treating sites.

+ Leading the exploration and application of new technologies as part of our production research plans. This may include oversite and advancement of our internal SCOPE field management system, SEEDLIMs quality control assurance systems, connectivity with BASF’s Xarvio Field Mgr , field imaging and analytics using satellite imagery, drone imaging, and other new technologies that may help with varietal/trait purity, plant health, predicting yield/quality, etc. info mgmt. development, tech foundation, etc.

+ Serving as a key member and contributor to the North American Seed Supply Quality Management team and assisting the North America Seed Supply Quality Manager with continual improvement of QMS, quality initiatives and product quality.

+ Interacting and communicating directly as member of the North American Soy Supply Leadership team, Global Product Stewardship Team, Global Quality teams, Legal, and Regulatory with improving and executing overall improved seed supply strategies for BASF.

If you have…

+ BA/BS in the field of agronomy, seed science, plant science, agricultural economics, supply chain, or a related discipline. Advanced degree highly preferred.

+ 10+ years of expert experience in quality management or quality assurance/control, seed production, seed logistics, or agribusiness; or other applicable business experience in seed production, research, production agriculture.

+ 10+ years of experience working with Stewardship and Regulatory preferred.

+ 10+ years of continuous improvement experience preferred with competencies in Lean/Six Sigma, and demonstrated competencies with process mapping, route cause analysis, problem solving, etc.

+ Working knowledge and basic experience with seed treatments and their application preferred.

+ 5+ years of experience with seed production research technologies including satellite, drone, or other data collection and analytical tools.

+ ISO 9001 or similar experience with equivalent quality management systems.

+ Strong business acumen, seed production expert, and ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with senior leaders within and outside the company.

+ Strong leadership in process development, and using methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean and other process improvement techniques.

+ Experience with documenting customer complaints, leading non-conformance investigations, developing CAPA’s, and implementing process improvements.

+ Expert knowledge of technical seed production methods, standards, and processes including experience with federal and state seed laws.

+ Strong skills with data base management, extracting data, and generating data analytics as it relates to seed production effectiveness. SAP experience is a plus.

+ Demonstrated capability and willingness to develop skills and advance career to a senior leadership role in commercial production operations, or supply chain management.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF . We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

+ Flexible work arrangements whenever possible

+ Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options

+ Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members

+ Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)

+ Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages

+ Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive

+ Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.

+ Employee crisis support for when the unexpected ha