Field Specialist at Milly Fruit Processors Limited; Picana

Duties and Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with fruit farmers, providing technical support and guidance throughout the growing season as per GAP.
• Planning, developing and setting up procurement processes and systems to ensure consistent quality and reliable supply of various fruits throughout the year.
• Developing and sharing a harvesting and delivery plan with the management and other stakeholders on timely basis.
• Ensuring adherence to Food Safety regulations, quality assurance standards and industry best practices in fruits production and handling.
• Identifying opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction and performance improvement in field operations.
• Generating and maintaining detailed records regarding fields, farmers registration on the digital app, fruit production, harvest yields, quality metrics and operational performance.
• Preparing regular reports on key performance indicators, trends and insights for management review and decision making.
• Travelling across the country to build local teams and supplier network for effective and robust direct sourcing.
• Researching the competitors’ offerings to suppliers and staying up to date with competitor activities.
• Developing better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improving fruits yield, and solving problems for farmers.
• Training the farmers as per Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)/GLOBAL GAP and organic practices to increase productivity while minimizing resource inputs and environmental impact.
• Researching and promoting agricultural strategies to counter the effects of changes in soil, climate, weather, and pests for sustainable agricultural practices.
• Assisting in selecting appropriate crop varieties, optimizing planting techniques and implementing effective soil and nutrients management practices.
• Negotiate new supplier terms of business, delivery schedules, quantity discount structure.

Candidate Profile:

• Degree in Horticulture/Agronomy or related field.
• Minimum 7 to 10 years’ experience in fruits sourcing preferably in mangoes, pineapples and passions.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communicate skills with ability to convey technical information.
• Proficiency with in MS Office, GIS mapping and agronomic modelling.
• Working experience in Tana river, south coast, Makunei is advantage
• Holder of a valid Motor Cycle/Driving Licence
• Attention to detail.