Information Systems Specialist and Operations Coordinator - Regulatory Sciences R&D

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the Human Element to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population.  Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion.   The Information Systems Specialist / Systems Operations Coordinator provides primary technical and supervisor support for the operation of information management (IM) systems in the regulatory sciences function of Dow AgroSciences. Primary users of the systems are laboratory data generators and owners and users who retrieve, compile and analyze data based on specific needs. The current IM systems are custom and commercial Oracle database applications and Microsoft Office-based applications customized to the departmental work processes through VBA code. Rapid growth in the near term will necessitate expansion of the IM systems required. The operations coordinator will assure the successful day-to-day operation of these IM solutions to ensure the success of this expansion. Some departmental systems interface with corporate R&D systems; therefore, the operations coordinator will be required to interact with his or her peers for these corporate R&D systems to ensure the facile movement of information through the corporation. This position resides in the IM department within the global regulatory function whose mission is to secure and maintain the registration of Dow AgroSciences products with global regulatory agencies.   Primary responsibilities will include: Provide first-line user support for the function's applications as follows: ensure systems are operational for a global user base ensure data dictionaries are maintained by system administrator according to workgroup business rules established in coordination with the business analyst ensure database entry models are followed by study entry personnel according to business rules established in coordination with the business analyst generate user documentation and training materials and ensure users are adequately trained manage change control for regulated systems according to Good Automated Laboratory Procedures (GALP) and related Standard Operating Procedures, when necessary Participate in system evolution activities including requirements gathering, testing, production roll-out and lifecycle document management as coordinated by the business analyst Provide insights for system enhancements and productivity gains on its use. Train, coach and supervise data entry specialists and system administrator including workload management Bachelors degree in a scientific area (e.g., physical, chemical or biological) is required.  Associates degree in a technical discipline with extensive experience in the primary responsibilities listed above may substitute for a Bachelors degree. A Computer Science degree and/or experience with computer systems is required. Experience with VBA for Microsoft Word and Excel and relational databases is highly desired. Experience with laboratory or field experimentation and application development in a regulated environment is desirable. Complete familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is mandatory. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and supervise contracted data entry personnel are mandatory. Good leadership skills and the ability to guide the data entry staff and systems administrator to reach desired outcome are necessary for success. Good communication skills to understand users needs and the ability to maintain regular communications with others in the department are mandatory.