Supply Planning & Trade Operations

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.

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.

Job Description

The Supply Planning & Trade Operations role is responsible for defining efficient, cost-effective, and stable supply plans that support sales forecasts and meet inventory targets. This role manages end-to-end import/export operations, customs compliance, and trade activities to ensure seamless cross-border movement of goods. The position partners closely with Commercial, Finance, Logistics, and Regional Supply teams to optimize inventory levels, mitigate supply risks, and ensure regulatory compliance with trade and customs requirements.

Accountabilities*

• Develop and maintain supply plans for finished goods and collaterals that align with demand forecasts, inventory targets, and service level agreements.
• Coordinate all import and export activities including customs documentation, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and other required trade paperwork.
• Ensure compliance with customs laws, international trade requirements, and HSE/Quality standards across all trade operations.
• Manage appropriate inventory levels including monitoring inventory rate accuracy (IRA), cycle counts, and coordinating with warehouses and tolling plants.
• Drive Supply-related activities for New Product Introduction (NPI) by working closely with key stakeholders for package development and supply negotiations.
• Identify supply constraints and develop mitigation plans for shortages, delays, and business continuity risks while optimizing cost elements such as duties and non-duties.
• Partner with Marketing to define inventory buffers, manage slow-moving/obsolete inventory (SLOB), and recommend move-out plans for expired and near-expiring stock.
• Liaise with customs brokers, freight forwarders, toll manufacturers, and regulatory agencies to facilitate efficient movement of goods and resolve trade issues.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years up, combined experience in supply planning, production/material planning, and inventory management in a manufacturing or warehousing environment.
• Experience in import/export operations, customs documentation, trade compliance, or logistics coordination, preferably in the agriculture, chemicals, or FMCG industry.
• Familiarity with customs regulations, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, FTZ operations, and international trade laws.
• Experience working with ERP systems (e.g., SAP), customs/trade management software, and planning tools.
• Previous exposure to tolling operations, contract manufacturing, or third-party logistics management is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of production and materials planning, inventory management, warehousing, and manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of purchasing policies, financial concepts, supplier market dynamics, and cost drivers.
• Knowledge of customs regulations, import/export procedures, Incoterms, and trade compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, planning systems, and data analysis tools; ability to interpret data for decision-making.

Additional Information

In Syngenta we recognize that diversity and inclusion is important to our business. We embrace the unique perspective and capabilities of our employees, which will help us continue to drive innovation and achieve our business goals. Our culture enables us to create an environment of involvement, respect and connection with the communities where we operate - benefitting individual employees and the company.