Regulatory Manager at Syngenta

Job Description

Role purpose

• Achieve, extend and maintain license to operate (registrations) for Syngenta products in areas of responsibility within agreed timelines, under the supervision of the Regulatory Lead.
• Provide regulatory expertise and foresight to the business, coordinated by the Regulatory Lead.
• Plan and execute regulatory activities in areas of responsibility and find innovative registration approaches within the legal regulatory framework.
• Secure Syngenta’s competitive edge through top quality submissions and handling registration issues in an ethical, trustworthy way in cooperation with country authorities.

Accountabilities

• Manage the registration activities for countries in the business area, as defined by the Regulatory Lead. This includes the preparation of registration submissions; answering requests from authorities; covering regulatory aspects of product labelling and formulation/source changes; keeping Syngenta internal registration databases up to date.
• Plan, achieve, maintain and defend approvals / registrations (for new registrations, reregistration, label extensions and formulation changes) of Syngenta Portfolio in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana to the appropriate approval authority. Aiming to meet business objectives within agreed timelines and in compliance with local statutory requirements.
• Provide regulatory expertise and foresight to the business. Keep regulatory and business informed on regulatory changes and emerging issues which require proactive management.
• Jointly develop and implement, with the Regulatory Lead, a robust freedom to operate (FtO) approach across countries in the business area, aligned to Global strategy incl. stewardship & safe use.
• Provide to the Regulatory Lead annual plans, timelines and budget needs for all registration activities in-line with portfolio strategy/priorities. Track, review and report registration progress against targets.
• Establish a network with regulatory authorities, to represent company interests. Maintain close contact with local partners and stakeholders in order to grow and maintain expertise of national registration processes and legislations.
• Proactively manage product related issues.
• Support supply chain and other internal stakeholders on regulatory matters (shelf-life extensions, country of origin issues, review of inspection certificates, etc.).
• Accountable for regulatory compliance within the allocated countries, including liaison with external stakeholders on regulatory compliance matters/enquiries
• Develop, drive and implement effective processes and SOPs to ensure regulatory compliance in accordance with local legislation throughout the product life cycle
• Support, in case of need, the Regulatory Lead in engagement and participation in the local Industry association.
• Work in partnership with Product Biology counterpart to ensure that regulatory submissions of the highest quality are submitted to the regulatory authorities.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Critical Knowledge

• 5+ years regulatory experience.
• Expert knowledge on PPP legislation and PPP authorization in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana and at EU level.
• Knowledge of the technical disciplines related to PPP registration, toxicology, product residues, environmental fate and ecotoxicology at a general level.
• General understanding of agriculture industry.
• Deliver value adding solutions to the business in countries of responsibility.
• Effective collaboration within the regulatory team and with supported business functions
• Internal & external networking.
• High attention to detail whilst keeping the overview.
• Capability to provide impact assessment of local and global Regulations on the Business Area, in order to develop strategic & sustainable action plans to maintain Syngenta freedom to operate.

 Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Capability to work in a highly structured and independent manner
• Excellent administrative skills (attention to detail whilst maintaining the overview)
• Strong management capabilities
• Analytical and strategic thinker
• Ability to act in a trustworthy and responsible manner
• Ability to multitask on different levels whilst being results orientated
• Networking capabilities to effectively build and maintain a solid internal and external network
• Team player, enjoying collaboration with the line manager (Regulatory Lead) and the other functions locally and internationally
• Effective Decision making
• Ability to prioritize and deliver goals on time
• Demonstrate strengths in communication, self-organization and problem solving and developed negotiation/influencing skills across different cultures
• Good communication in English

Minimum education and critical knowledge required for the job

• Scientific degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture (Bachelor, Master or PhD) or relevant technical qualification.
• SACNASP Accreditation as a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat.) in a relevant scientific domain.
• Good knowledge of regulatory legislation and requirements in the crop protection industry; gained through direct experience in a regulatory role; or through significant technical experience
• Good knowledge of GLP OECD principles and GEP principles.
• Additional relevant qualification an added benefit
• Proven registration activities experience
• Project management experience
• Proven relationship management capabilities
• Proven cross-functional working capabilities
• Proven experience in providing solutions to complex issues
• Proven communication, negotiation, influencing and analytical capabilities

Experience to be gained in the job

• Acquisition/enhancement of the knowledge on registration requirements and regulatory developments in the EU and impact on the South African BA.
• Direct contact with business units in the countries, which will provide a good insight of the different market segments and CP industry in Africa
• Enhanced advocacy skills, strategic and sustainable mindsets
• Enhanced capability to assess the impact of a regional regulatory system on another territory (ie EU on AME)

Relevant Legislations including, but not limited to:

South Africa:

• Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 Of 1947
• Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 Of 1972) Regulations Governing the Maximum Limits for Pesticide Residues That May Be Present In Foodstuffs
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents

Botswana:

• Agrochemicals Act
• (Act 35:09) Agrochemicals Regulations (Cap. 35:09)

Namibia:

• Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 Of 1947

Application closing on 09 January 2026.