Director of Producer Outreach - MN PORK

The Minnesota Pork Producers Association seeks a motivated, personable professional as Director of Producer Outreach. This position works closely with individual pork producers and local pork organizations, provides public relation support, membership outreach and assistance to volunteers. Applicants must be college graduates, have a valid driver’s license, ability to lift 50 pounds and able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends. This position is located in Mankato, Minn. and offers competitive entry-level salary with benefits. For more information, go to www.mnpork.com.

Submit cover letter, resume, and references by February 1 to: Minnesota Pork Producers Association, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810, Mankato, MN 56001; e-mail to colleen@mnpork.com; or fax to (507) 345-8681.

QA Lab Manager - Minnesota

Manage, maintain, develop and optimize physiological testing protocols for both corn and soybeans. Ensure that physiological testing demands are met in a timely, reliable and cost effective manner. Develop QA testing systems that ensure consistent results across all physiological QA labs. Initiate and participate in quality improvement efforts. Provide technical training and access to Physiological testing philosophies to sales forces to the 3 distinct brands. Accountabilities • Standardize, optimize and coordinate physiological tests that are reliable, accurate, cost effective, timely and pertinent. • Communicate with QA Managers, production plants, parent seed and research staff to understand and anticipate testing demands during the peak seasons. Develop clear sample submission guidelines, to ensure evenly distributed testing loads during peak testing periods.  • Provide procedural and technical leadership for all Supply Chain personnel in quality improvement efforts. • Develop and implement new physiological testing protocols to meet the evolving needs of the business. • Calibrate 3rd party labs and develop a list of approved 3rd party labs, to facilitate outside testing when the need arises. • Validate physiological test results / procedures across all labs through routine internal calibration work. • Develop a professional, highly competent staff through motivation, continuing education and by providing a stimulating work environment. Create an environment that rewards innovative thinking within the team for continual process improvement. • Maintain, through training and testing protocols, a safe work environment in accordance with HSE policies. • Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Critical knowledge • BS / BA in biological or agricultural field is required • RST and/or RGT certification • Understanding of the linkage between production practices and physiological quality • Familiarity with state and federal seed laws and sampling techniques Critical experience • Minimum 3 years Physiological QA lab management and lab testing experience • Experience in vigor and viability testing methodologies Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities • Strong written and oral communication skills • Ability to oversee and manage the testing activities of satellite lab location(s) • Proficient with common (word processing, spreadsheet and database) computer software • Customer-Focused – ability to work cross functionally, while recognizing the requirements of a diverse customer base • Results-Oriented – provide timely, accurate and reliable data as needed • Communicative – effectively communicate QA results and trends to customer, while developing a working relationship with these customers • Team-Oriented – effective at working and communicating with numerous cross-functional groups • Innovative – ability to research, understand, develop and validate new testing protocols that meet evolving business needs • This position requires a high degree of knowledge in physiological testing methodologies, coupled with a participative management style that motivates and challenges the team to embrace change in testing technology Critical leadership capabilities • Skillfully plans, organizes and monitors performance to meet deadlines • Senses and adapts to the changing environment to achieve excellence in delivery • Prioritizes actions and ensures appropriate support and resource • Helps us see how our objectives are aligned to the company strategy and add value

• Assess and understand the physiological testing needs of the Supply Chain team • Analytical and problem solving orientation • Ability to adapt with evolving testing techniques and technologies • Maintain cost effective in-house testing for all high volume physiological testing needs • Ability to anticipate and react to emerging physiological quality issues

• A minimum of 2 years in current position is required (requirement for internal applicants only) • All applicants must be eligible to work in the US PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Occasional travel by auto and airplane WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Ability to work in field, plant, laboratory and office settings • Ability to handle high stress periods during peak testing seasons • Ability for overnight travel

Seeds NAFTA Tax Manager - Plymouth, MN

Have you thought about how to feed the fast growing world population? We have. 

And we are looking for top talent to join our team!

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.  The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market.  Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion.  Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries.  Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). 

Seeds NAFTA Tax Manager – Plymouth, MN

Role Purpose – 

The Seeds division has undertaken a growth ambition with a goal of doubling sales in the next five years and then again by 2015. This will be accomplished by internal organic growth and acquisitions. This ambition is going to place an enormous demand on the organization to have capacity to be flexible, dynamic and team oriented. This role is responsible for leading the tax function of the NAFTA Seeds businesses. The incumbent ensures that the company is in compliance with all Global corporate tax policies, NAFTA tax regulations, IFRS and good business practices that relate to the tax function of the company. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient utilization of all resources that are under his/her control. This role will also be a key contributor in developing and shaping the characteristics of the NAFTA Seeds Shared Service financial organization.

Accountabilities – 

Develop the capabilities and foster the teamwork of the NAFTA Seeds tax team members as a sub-component of the Global Tax team and the NAFTA Seeds Shared Service Finance team. • Provide NAFTA and Global Seeds tax planning and analysis to help deliver the Global effective tax rate targets. • Lead the NAFTA Seeds tax team to maximize tax value delivered from the tax compliance and tax reporting functions while maintaining materially correct work product standard. • Participate in Global and NAFTA Seeds M&A and other strategic business projects to ensure all tax related aspects are proactively managed and integrated into Syngenta tax structure. • Management of NAFTA Seeds tax function to ensure minimization of tax liabilities and effective tax risk management. • Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state and local laws; Corporate Policies; IFRS/GAAP and other good business practices. • Provide assistance and direction to business leaders related to the tax implications of business strategies • Oversee the LE and annual income tax provisions, including the completion the appropriate corporate reporting forms related to tax • Oversee the federal and state income tax return completion, including coordination of related transfer price documentation. • Manage audit issues for federal and state tax returns, including income/franchise, sales & use and property tax returns; file amended returns as necessary • Ensure the annual property tax renditions and a review of the assessments is completed. • Serve as a resource for marketing, payroll and human resource departments for tax related questions

Knowledge, experience & capabilities –

Critical knowledge:

BS Degree in Accounting required; degree in taxation would be a plus. CPA license would be an asset. • Advanced degree in Tax, Legal or Finance with 7+ years of corporate tax planning experience • In-depth technical knowledge of federal/state income taxes. • Knowledge of IFRS accounting principles especially in the tax reporting area. • Thorough understanding of tax principles and concepts impacting the Syngenta Global tax value drivers such as Transfer Pricing, IP economic ownership, and M&A in order to provide constructive and proactive tax advice. • Basic understanding of the seeds industry preferred. • Positive Mental Attitude. Team Player. Self-starter, who is high-energy, motivated, enthusiastic with an outgoing, can-do attitude. Ability to work in a fast paced, growing environment. Built to strive for more, better, faster. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills. Strong Interpersonal Relationship Skills - able to interface at all levels of the organization and build trust. Solid decision-making, prioritization, and problem solving skills. Assertive but flexible and diplomatic. Personal commitment to quality services with a customer service mindset. Disciplined and results oriented with a strong work ethic. • Manages risk and is able to work with uncertainty • Prioritizes actions and ensures appropriate support and resource • skillfully plans, organizes and monitors performance to meet deadlines

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

Understanding of key performance drivers Seizes opportunities to improve business performance Builds up networks with customers and stakeholders Introduces hard customer satisfaction measures Not accept current, initial situations or 1st options Evidence of continuous improvement and development High integrity, openness and transparency Checks progress, confronts problems directly Develops networks across the organization Good grasp of reality for the front line Creates, shares vision for leading global position Builds, communicates and implements strategy successfully

Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply today! Please submit your application online at www.syngentacareers.com. EOE