Head of Agronomy at Dorbe-Leit Solutions Limited

Job Description

We are looking for a Head of Agronomy who will be responsible for ensuring the maximization of crop production and quality. The role involves continual data collection and the regular performance of trials. Special care must also be taken to ensure soil health and to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural practices carried out on the farm.

 All activities on the farm and in the processing/storage facilities must be compliant with the World Health Organization’s Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) as well as with any National standards; this means that the head of agronomy and plant health will be responsible for making sure all field activities are in-line with the GACP guidelines. Is also responsible for contributing towards organic, UEBT, and other, external certifications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Working alongside Senior Management to create and implement efficient and effective plans for planting, weeding, and harvesting.
• Monitoring all crops to ensure maximum plant health, thus resulting in highest possible quality and yield.
• Reacting quickly and creatively to issues arising in the crops.
• Exploring new ways to increase both efficiency and output
• Document and record all findings from trials and commercial production fields
• Keep detailed records of field data, commercial and trial crops, soil/plant samples
• Ensure that all data is up to date and shared with the team in Kenya and Switzerland
• Plan efficient and timely planting of crops, application of field inputs and irrigation schedules.
• Generate reports and presenting findings to management as required.
• Ensure regular upkeep of field data on the Controlling tool for all crops.
• Monitor crop production to find the most effective methods to plant, harvest, and cultivate crops and to develop methods to control pests and weeds for crop protection and to retain maximum yield output.
• Visiting fields to collect seed, plant, and soil samples and testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other changes.
• Keep detailed records of field data, commercial and trial crops, soil/plant samples.
•  Research, develop and promote farm practices to diminish the effects of changes in soil, climate and weather.
• Perform constant trials to find ways to improve the production of all crops on the farm.
• Ensure that all crop inputs are ordered and delivered on time. Assist in the procurement of inputs with an aim to reduce expenditure.
• Supervise the production and on-time delivery of seedlings so that all planting material is received on time and in perfect health.
• Work with laboratories, testing facilities and consultants to continually improve plant and soil health.
•  Supervise, train and promote field workers.
• Ensure that the production facility and documentation is always up to national, UEBT, Organic and GACP standards.
• Co-ordinate farm activities with suppliers, propagators and transporters.

Qualifications

• Education (degree, diploma) in Agronomy, crop science or agriculture.
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience in agronomy.
• Experience in an industry with quality requirements. Preferably with experience in an organization that has been certified in organic production, Rainforest Alliance, UEBT, GACP, etc.
• Experience from a commercial established farm.
• Opportunity thinker and problem solver
• Good communicator
• Strategic thinking
• Willingness to engage in further training
• Very good computer skills

Skills

• Strength in communication,
• Knowledge in plant health and nutrition; curious personality and keen on learning
• High level proficiency in written and spoken English.
• High level of computer literacy (Microsoft office).
• Good experience in trial/experiment planning and execution.
• Self-motivated and proactive approach to solving challenges.
• Effective planning and time management.
• Hands-on, practical knowledge of plant and soil management.
• Organizational skills to allocate resources and co-ordinate activities in the field.
• Analytical skills, think critically, solve issues and think outside the box
• Leadership skills, potential to manage a small team in the future.
• Teamwork