Description 

The External Manufacturing (EM) Operations Leader is the Corteva employee accountable for production activities occurring at multiple Formulations & Packaging and Active Synthesis suppliers across the region.   

This person is the operations focal point for the implementation of CORTEVA manufacturing strategies at those supplier facilities and is accountable to ensure overall compliance with requirements and manufacturing procedures contained in the Contract Manufacturing Agreement for goods and services provided.   

In addition to the Manufacturing responsibilities, the EM Ops Leader supports numerous Site Selection Projects enabling the large pipeline of new products to be produced. 

The EM Ops Leader works closely with CORTEVA Supply Chain, Business Team representatives, R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Regulatory, Legal and other functions supporting external manufacturing activities. 

He/she is accountable for setting targets for continuous improvement at supplier sites and monitoring progress in the areas of manufacturing techniques, cost minimization, waste reduction, and quality. 

Some travel (10 - 25%) to supplier sites is required to manage new projects, activities and assessments. 

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Managing Partner Relationships 

• Fills the role of CORTEVA Ambassador, sets manufacturing expectations, and manages relationship with supplier site.  

• Provides expertise in plant operations, improvement identification, project execution, and EHSQ program implementation  

• Represents Manufacturing at Logical Supply Team (LST) meetings for each supplier. 

• Facilitates the campaign report and technology review with R&D and EM partners at the end of a campaign on unit ratio and consumption / solvent recovery and documents any improvement opportunity. 

Supplier Selection and Establishing New Activities 

• Leads or participates in the supplier selection process for new activities.  

• Works with the Formulations Expertise Center and Crop Protection R&D to ensure new products and technologies are manufacturing-ready, and to trouble-shoot technical issues that arise. 

• Engages with R&D team during the transfer of technology to suppliers for new products & processes and ensures implementation of Management of Change. Participates on and/or leads new product trials. 

• Works with EM partners and R&D to document any changes in Process via MOC (Change in Equipment, process conditions, raw materials, etc) 

• Participates on M&ISC (Modify & Implement Supply Chain) projects to ensure manufacturing readiness. 

• Ensures Confidentiality agreements are in place before exchanging information with any external plant/company. Requests new Confidential Disclosure Agreements as needed. 

Driving Improvement  

• Monitors, supports, and improves supplier process performance and asset capability, focusing on product integrity, quality, process safety, costs, yields, schedule, and compliance. 

• Supports capacity planning, including identification and prioritization of improvement ideas to track on the Plant Specific Technology Plant (PSTP). 

• Leads or facilitates with other local functional leaders for both EBITDA generating improvement projects and new product launch projects. 

• Accountable for maintaining the effective implementation of Corteva technology at the EM site.  As changes take place, the EM Operations leader shall engage with the R&D team to update any technology packages. The R&D team is responsible for creating and maintaining the technology package on behalf of Corteva. 

Oversight and Governance 

• Assures feasibility of production plan at supplier sites. Determines asset capability expectations for planning. 

• Accountable for Produce to Plan (PtP) and Meet Production Schedule (MPS) performance at assigned facilities.  

• Is accountable for budget targets  

• Manages, in coordination with supply chain, inventory discrepancies and coordinates action items to correct 

• Supports procurement on contract reviews. After a contract is reviewed, supports the updates in SAP to have correct costs for associated products 

• Communicates/Reports goals, milestones, progress and issues to key stakeholders, who include Supply Chain, Manufacturing, R&D, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial. 

• Supports the Shelf Life extension process. 

• Manages the production components of new Raw Material Qualifications and Packaging. Accountable to complete MOC with needed approvals.  

Managing Risk associated with EM Operations  

• Assesses suppliers on adherence to CORTEVA Quality, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Technology ("EHSQ") expectations.  

• As the CORTEVA focal point the person filling this role is accountable for resolving quality issues at the supplier sites in partnership with the EM compliance and quality functions 

• Leads and/or participates in Root Cause Investigations (RCIs) to ensure valid root causes and appropriate corrective actions are obtained. 

• Accountable for completion of corrective actions from EHSQ audits and RCIs completed at supplier site(s). 

• Supports Quality activities, such as quality data for export (manual CoA generation, templates updates, etc) 

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a scientific or engineering bachelor’s degree or four-year equivalent degree in supply chain or engineering. 
• Five or more years of direct experience in the agriculture or chemical industry.  
• Multiple years with direct manufacturing experience is required. By direct manufacturing experience- looking for experience that had direct accountability for the manufacturing process(es), daily operations, supporting logistics, or supply planning.  
• Understanding of quality systems, especially as they relate to product specifications, release and quality control. Especially valuable is an understanding of Crop Life or Contamination Prevention Standards. 
• Highly valued is experience with continuous improvement/Six Sigma/Lean. 
• Prior experience with relationship management with suppliers is strongly desired. 
• Prefer experience utilizing SAP/ERP systems

#LI-AB1

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.

Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.