Description

Corteva is looking for a Corn Evaluation Zone (EZ) Lead for the North America Mid-East (NAME) area. Building on a foundation of 100 years of breeding, the EZ Lead is responsible for coordinating and setting breeding strategies within the EZ that will deliver competitively superior products to NA Business Unit Area. In conjunction with NA Commercial Zone Lead and NA leadership team, the EZ Lead will provide leadership to multiple breeding projects and research centers, targeting product needs, implementing new technologies, and assisting in establishing product goals. The role will report to the NA Seed Product Development (NA SPD) Lead and will have the opportunity to collaborate broadly with significant impact across Research & Development and Corteva. Interaction and alignment with Business area Lead is critical.

This position may be based at one of the research stations within the NAME EZ (Windfall (IN), Champaign (IL), or other Mid-East stations). Or this role can accommodate a flexible work arrangement where you may perform work from home (based within the NAME EZ). If hired, you may be required to travel as necessary to support business activities.

Responsibilities – What You will Do:

• Build and improve on a safe and inclusive work environment for all full-time, temporary and contract employees.
• Set breeding goals and strategies to address germplasm, trait, and product gaps.
• Establish germplasm strategies that are consistent with long-term product development needs.
• Manage, direct and monitor progress of the corn product development in NAME EZ (from population development to R5 hybrid advancement).
• Direct and coordinate the corn product advancement process for NAME EZ.
• Work with Technology Lead, Logistic Leads, Analysts and Breeders to ensure deployment and implementation of new technologies into corn breeding programs within the EZ boundaries.
• Work with Logistics Leads and other EZ/Crop Lead’s to manage station operations and align interactions with global functional groups (DH’s, TI, winter nurseries, etc)
• In conjunction with NA Research leadership, establish research direction and allocate resources to several projects while being challenged by changing marketplace conditions.
• Participate and engage in people development and evaluation across NA SPD
• Be an active member of NA Corn and All Crops leadership teams.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• PhD in plant breeding or biological science, with 8-10 years of industry experience.
• An independent, highly motivated, and self-directed leader is required.
• Strong technical understanding of innovative technologies and the ability to apply them to improve product development processes.
• Proven strategic thinker who can balance short and long-term goals and objectives to deliver the next generation of products for customers globally.
• Proven ability to work across both Corteva Business and R&D groups.
• Persuasive, strong communication and leadership skills.
• Strong core values based as a foundation for leadership.
• Excellent personal interaction skills required for effectively developing strong internal and external working relationships with a diverse group of people.

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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
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here – Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.