Regional IT Operations Lead

Who are we, and what do we do?
At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what’s next. No matter your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology that will better the lives of people all over the world and fuel the progress of humankind.

Corteva Agriscience is looking for an innovative, energetic, and transformational Regional IT Operations Lead to join our Regional Operations team.

The Regional IT Operations Lead is responsible for setting and realizing the vision for IT solutions within their portfolio of products, platforms, and services. Specific to this role, this includes managing and optimizing IT operations across a defined geographic region. overseeing field services, ensuring effective site management, and leading local IT teams to deliver high-quality IT support and services. This role reports to the Enterprise IT Operations Leader.

The ideal candidate for this position has a proven record of accomplishment of blending strategic planning, operational management, and leadership skills that ensure the efficient functioning of IT systems and services at regional sites. The candidate needs to be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and highly matrixed environment. This includes working with ambiguity, creating operational maturity vs. having it already in place, and having successful experience managing operations and hiring and developing talent. 

How does an Operations Lead work?

• Through Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain strong and credible relationships across Corteva IT and our strategic partners and vendors.

• Harmonizes Business Needs and IT Strategies: Keeps a secure and differentiating employee or customer experience at the forefront of all they do. Oversees clear business capability definition and ensures alignment to technology products and services are in place to support.

• Enables a High-Quality IT Product Portfolio: Drives value realization from products, services, interactions, assets, and capabilities as defined by business cases or similar tools.

• Monitors IT Products, Platforms, and Services: Regularly review metrics and health dashboards to assess availability and productivity of the products in their portfolio; proactively identifies services and service levels to manage business-partner expectations.

What are the Operations Lead’s Skills and Behaviors? 

• Technology IQ: Grow in knowledge and understanding of leading and emerging technologies related to their associated technology product families. Participate in industry peer groups to understand industry trends.

• Business IQ: Build an understanding of their business partners and how they fit within Corteva overall; participate in industry peer groups to understand industry trends.  Accountable to share insights through metrics, charts, status reports, to bring visibility into work being done. Communicates regularly, how their actions contribute to the success of the organization. Being accountable to share insights through metrics, charts, status reports, bring visibility into work being done, communicate regularly, share how the work contributes to the success of the organization.

• Stays Curious: Deep understanding of Corteva strategic/operational challenges and determines how to meet current and emerging business needs. Stay aware of new and emerging technologies, and their potential value to Corteva.

• Supports Common Ways of Working: Creates a culture that embraces industry best practices and innovation through collaboration with all internal and external stakeholders.

• Customer Focused: Strong commitment to delivering high-quality IT services and maintaining customer satisfaction

What are the Operations Lead’s Primary Responsibilities - How will you help us Grow?

• Operational Management: Oversee IT operations and field services for multiple sites within the region, ensuring consistent delivery of IT services and support. Manage IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network systems, to ensure they meet operational requirements and performance standards.

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and manage regional IT teams, including field service technicians, site IT support staff, and other regional IT personnel. Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to team members. Ensure adequate staffing levels and manage scheduling to meet service demands.

• Service Delivery and Quality Assurance: Develop and implement service level agreements (SLAs) and operational procedures to ensure high-quality IT service delivery. Monitor performance metrics, track service quality, and address any issues or areas for improvement. Ensure timely resolution of IT incidents and service requests, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

• Site Management: Oversee IT operations at regional sites, including hardware and software installations, maintenance, and upgrades. Coordinate with site managers and other stakeholders to ensure IT systems support local business operations effectively. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, standards, and regulatory requirements at each site.

• Strategic Planning and Optimization: Develop and execute regional IT strategies aligned with organizational goals and objectives. Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and increased efficiency in regional IT operations. Manage budgets and resources for IT operations within the region, ensuring optimal use of financial and technical resources.

• Project Management: Lead and manage regional IT projects, including system upgrades, deployments, and new technology implementations. Coordinate with project teams, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure project goals are met within scope, time, and budget constraints.

• Vendor and Contract Management: Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, including negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with service agreements. Evaluate vendor performance and make recommendations for improvements or changes as needed.

• Incident and Problem Management: Oversee the management of IT incidents and problems, ensuring effective root cause analysis and resolution. Implement and maintain incident response and escalation procedures to handle critical issues promptly.

• Communication and Reporting: Maintain effective communication with regional and corporate leadership, providing regular updates on IT operations, service performance, and project status. Prepare and present reports on regional IT performance, service levels, and operational metrics.

• Site Assessments: Understand on an ongoing basis the changing needs and state of equipment in sites as it relates to infrastructure, end points, video collaboration, and print. Proactively stay ahead of devices approaching obsolescence.

• Demand Management: Ensure all incoming work from all sources, which include Server, Network, Application, Security and Business requests are fulfilled in alignment with SLA and business expectations with appropriate urgency.

• Risk Management and Compliance: Identify and manage risks associated with IT operations, including cybersecurity threats and operational disruptions. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies.

• Security and Compliance: Implement and enforce security policies and procedures to safeguard data and systems. Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Additional Duties

• Seek, embrace, and maintain strategic partnerships with product vendors and suppliers.

• Establish strong connections between the respective teams within IT. They should have a deep understanding of the interdependent relationship between all parts of the EIT organization.

• Ensure personnel and infrastructure are in compliance with external FDA & SOX regulations and any other relevant regional or local regulations (e.g., GDPR). Participate in audits as required.

• Provides leadership, coaching and direction to a team of highly skilled global workforce of employee and contingent workers.

• Incorporate operational excellence standards into daily operations to continually improve performance.

Experience and Education – What you'll bring to the table!

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3-5 years proven experience IT operations management, including field services and site-based IT support. Experience in leading IT teams and managing multiple locations is essential.

Additional Competencies

• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and hardware. Familiarity with IT service management frameworks and methodologies.

• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated leadership ability with experience in team management, coaching, and performance management.

• Project Management: Experience in managing IT projects, with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders.

• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Excellent product management skills.

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Strong ability to engage with a global team and provide coaching and oversight.

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks within the constraints of timeline and budget.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, learn rapidly and master diverse technologies and techniques.

Other Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP) or IT service management (e.g., ITIL) can be beneficial.

• ITIL, Agile, PMP certification(s).

• Operating in an Infrastructure as Product (IaP) environment.

• Experience in strategy, customer service, and internal consulting.

• Proven success in contributing to a collaborative environment.

• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment.

• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Strong attention to detail in managing IT operations and ensuring service quality.

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.