Who are we, and what do we do?

As the world’s only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture, we’re building a culture that stays curious, thinks differently, acts boldly and takes a stand on what’s right for our customers, our co-workers, our partners and our planet. We know we’ve got big challenges to solve – we hope you’ll be part of the solution.

Corteva Agriscience is seeking an experienced Production Location Manager, to join our Seed Operations team.

Position Overview:

The successful candidate will be responsible for safe, effective and efficient management of all the plant and field production processes in Zambia. The candidate will plan for production resources (manpower, machinery, equipment and tools, facilities and raw materials) needed to develop high quality seed on-time to meet distribution, delivery and stock transport schedules. He/she will manage internal and external relationships; and manage both plant and field production operations through subordinate staff having full accountabilities in their respective areas. The candidate will provide leadership and decisions to staff on operational questions related to their areas and responsibilities. The successful candidate will lead the site and achieve all production, quality, safety, and delivery targets.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Achievement of annual plan and budget business targets.
• Champion Business Improvement and Productivity Initiatives
• Leadership and Manager Accountability
• Achievement of seed quality plan standards
• Safety and Risk Management
• Tactical Planning (6 – 12 months)
• Cross function collaboration with SPD, SPRC, finance and commercial teams.

Qualifications & Skills:

• BA or BS (or equivalent), in operations, agriculture business or engineering
• 7-10 years experience of progressive experience in manufacturing environment and supervisory experience
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrated application of human resources / people management practices
• Ability to lead leaders and influence/collaborate cross-functionally
• Understanding of Lean production systems
• Understanding of advanced maintenance concepts, Root Cause Failure Analysis, and risk-based reliability methodology
• Understanding of change management principles

Achievement of annual plan and budget business targets.

• Identify and interpret local issues and trends
• Develop annual production and workforce projections
• Assess and manage resource allocation (people, equipment, capacity, etc.)
• Lead and implement local production development plan; and provide input to annual and  CY+1 year Production Operation plans
• Align local plans and goals with Regional Production Operations
• Communicate plans to plant employees and team and align individual goals
• Develop and submit capital & operational budgets for approval
• Monitor and approve expenditures
• Manage and communicated plan and priority changes
• Identify and resolve problems with the help as needed from the Supply Chain Manager, S&OP Manager
• Engage in shop floor activities

Champion Business Improvement and Productivity Initiatives

• Identify and prioritize productivity improvement opportunities with support from the Continuous Improvement Team
• Sponsor projects, team members, timelines and deliverables to ensure productivity objectives are met
• Implement best productivity practices at plant and ensure these practices are sustained
• Initiate plans and processes which minimize production cost through effective utilization of human capital, equipment, facilities, material and capital
• Monitor Key Process Indicators (KPI) to ensure production processes are on target to meet our business objectives

Leadership and Manager Accountability

• • Direct responsibility for Production Supervisors and Production Employees
  • Coach, support and develop employees in a manner that fosters effective collaboration and teamwork, demonstrating and modeling the Core Values.
  • Enable and encourage direct reports to leverage their full potential and achieve business results.
  • Establish and support individual and team performance goals that are attainable and aligned with business strategy
  • Recognize and value employees through ongoing recognition of individual and team results
  • Hold employees accountable for achieving performance results and demonstrating work behaviors that promote collaboration and teamwork in an effective manner while demonstrating and modeling the Core Values
  • Actively encourage and support employee and career development; coach staff in stretch assignments and skill development critical to employees’ jobs and overall career objectives.

Achievement of seed quality plan standards

• Oversee Plant Operations Manager who is directly responsible for; timing, flow, seed handing techniques, to ensure quality plan standards are met.
• Ensure quality management system is in place and effective
• Ensure regulatory compliance (safety, wage/hour laws, etc), adherence to quality and QMS standards, plant/field policies and standard operating procedures

Safety and Risk Management

• Promote health, safety, and environmentally friendly practices
• Ensure Process Safety Management is implemented and fully executed
• Model and enforce Lifesaving rules
• Facilitate audits and outcomes and action plans
• Foster a Safety Culture
• Ensure the environmental regulatory requirements are met
• Lead efforts to properly manage injuries and drive incidents to zero

Tactical Planning (6 – 12 months)

• Develop and monitor in conjunction with location management, local grower and vendor requirements
• Network with business improvement team to identify focus areas for production and process improvement
• Participate and lead assigned E2W projects that can leverage personal skills, and provide an opportunity for development
• Lead the development of local KPI’s and ensure analysis is conducted
• Network with maintenance manager to assess opportunities for asset upgrades via capital or operation expenses
• Network with Supply Chain leaders to establish distribution goals, and communication plans
• Review, communicate, and monitor progress on production operations goals
• Lead the review of operations and fixed cost projections and implement corrective actions to stay within budget
• Create annual Production Operation plan.
• Lead the development and review of the capital plans to aid in recommending items to include in the 3-year plan, and 1-year repair and maintenance plan
• Lead the development and review of the location’s long-term acreage strategy and plans
• Lead the asset utilization strategy to improve autonomous maintenance through the EAM system and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Benefits – How We’ll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life