At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation in agriculture, driving data and AI solutions for real-world impact.
- Company: Join Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation with a diverse workforce.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including generous holidays and a strong learning culture.
- Other info: Flexible location within the UK, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of farming while working with cutting-edge technology and making a difference.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a tech field and 5 years in data architecture or engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision‑making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.
We are looking for a Digital Lead to serve as the embedded architectural authority within our Production & Supply (P&S) organization, driving the design, deployment, and adoption of data and analytics solutions, including AI/ML and GenAI initiatives. This hands‑on leadership role bridges business strategy and technical execution, translating enterprise architecture blueprints into high‑value, real‑world implementations. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams to deliver solutions aligned with business objectives and customer needs, and lead change management to embed them into daily operations.
Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Act as the primary Data architect and trusted advisor for the embedded business function, supporting initiatives from ideation through to production.
- Ensure enterprise Data, ML, and AI architecture principles are applied pragmatically to deliver measurable business value.
- Facilitate requirements gathering sessions, design thinking workshops, and validation meetings with P&S leadership and operational teams.
- Partner with business stakeholders, product managers, and engineering teams to understand use cases and constraints.
- Design and document end‑to‑end data solutions aligned with enterprise standards for data mesh, domain‑oriented data products, and AI‑aligned data patterns (feature stores, RAG pipelines, inference architectures).
- Create efficient data models (schemas) and optimize SQL queries for high-performance analytics.
- Proactively identify opportunities where data, ML, and AI initiatives can deliver significant business value.
- Own the enablement and deployment of technologies (Databricks, AI, N8N and process intelligence), delivering hands‑on training and adoption support to upskill business users.
- Accelerate the data strategy by delivering MVPs and rapidly deploying solutions to generate fast learning and measurable value, leveraging platforms such as Databricks.
Qualifications and required experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related technical field.
- Solid experience in data & analytics, with at least 5 years in data architecture and engineering roles with focus on designing and implementing enterprise‑scale P&S Solutions as well as building enterprise dashboards and analytics solutions (Qlik, Power BI, or similar).
- Exposure to leading cross‑functional technical teams in Agile environments.
- Delivered digital products and projects, combining hands‑on experience with domain knowledge of manufacturing, logistics, planning or customer service processes gained through close collaboration with operational stakeholders.
- Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment and adapting to change (dealing with ambiguity and stakeholder expectation management).
- Understand the main constraints and business objectives which our main stakeholder/business partners operate in.
- Needs to be motivated, creative and curious, with a customer‑centric mindset.
- Able to engage with business and technical leaders with confidence and integrity.
- Experience designing and implementing data integration pipelines (Alteryx, SnapLogic, or modern ETL/ELT platforms) and SAP S/4HANA functional knowledge (PP, MM, SD, WM modules) are desirable.
- Databricks certification and/or Agile/Scrum certification are advantageous.
There’s a preference for the role to be based in Manchester, but other Syngenta locations within the UK can be considered.
What we offer:
- Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
- Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
- Learning culture and wide range of training options.
- Good onsite facilities.
- Syngenta has been ranked as a top 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Journal.
Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
CP P&S Digital Lead Europe in Manchester employer: Syngenta Crop Protection
Syngenta Crop Protection is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the agricultural sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, extensive training options, and a generous benefits package, including a robust pension scheme and up to 31.5 days of annual leave, Syngenta empowers its employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact on global agriculture. Located in Manchester, this role provides a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of digital transformation in farming, contributing to sustainable practices that benefit both farmers and the planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CP P&S Digital Lead Europe in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Syngenta on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Digital Lead role. Personal connections can give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Syngenta's recent projects and innovations in data and analytics. Show us that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their mission of advancing agriculture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your expertise in data architecture and your ability to lead cross-functional teams. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows that you're serious about joining the Syngenta team and contributing to our vision.
We think you need these skills to ace CP P&S Digital Lead Europe in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Digital Lead role. Highlight your data architecture and engineering experience, especially in relation to P&S solutions, to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about agriculture and digital innovation. Share specific examples of how you've driven data solutions in previous roles to show us what you can bring to the table.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your experience with tools like Databricks, SQL, and any relevant certifications. We love seeing candidates who are hands-on and familiar with the latest technologies in data and analytics.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Syngenta Crop Protection
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Digital Lead, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of data architecture and analytics. Brush up on your knowledge of enterprise-scale solutions and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've designed and implemented data models or analytics solutions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires you to lead cross-functional teams, so be prepared to share experiences where you've successfully managed teams in Agile environments. Highlight your ability to facilitate workshops and gather requirements effectively, as this will show your capability to bridge business strategy with technical execution.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect to face questions about specific technologies mentioned in the job description, like Databricks or modern ETL/ELT platforms. Familiarise yourself with these tools and be prepared to discuss how you've used them to deliver measurable business value in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate a Customer-Centric Mindset
Syngenta values a customer-centric approach, so think of examples where you've put customer needs at the forefront of your projects. Be ready to explain how you've engaged with stakeholders to understand their constraints and objectives, ensuring that your solutions align with their needs.
