ROLE PURPOSE:

• The successful candidate will manage the end to end third party operations by ensuring timely and consistent production of hybrid vegetable seeds of the required quantity, quality by the contracted Vendors/Growers.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Manage the seed demands set by the Global planner, focus on crop plan, land and greenhouse allocation and preparation.
• Manage the Vendor by providing a precise and detailed crop plan/schedule – quantities needed, no of plants, plant density, acreage, basic seeds requirement, weekly activity and labour plan for each season.
• Ensure preparation and submission of monthly Vendor progress reports (VPR) to the Seed Production Specialist(s) (SPS) to ensure the planning and marketing teams are reliably informed on the production progress.
• Ensure the correct seed collection from the seed stores, delivery and handing over to third party growers for sowing of the trays, planting in the field and return the remaining seeds to the home farm seed store.
• Ensures accurate stock levels of consumables and order when necessary.
• Manage production teams, train the team at different levels on relevant activities and protocols to enhance productivity and efficiency i.e. planting, labelling, training, de-suckering, defoliation, rouging, emasculation, pollen harvesting, pollination, harvesting, extraction, drying, storage, packing, phytosanitary standards and advise on shipment procedures.
• Ensure precise and periodical reports to all relevant stakeholders to keep them fully informed and up to date with the vendor activities.
• Manage the sharing of technical information on any issues that the vendor may require.
• Manage crop protection, irrigation and crop nutrition and plan mitigating actions in liaison with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensures contracts are availed and signed off by the vendor in good time.
• Provide full support to Fair Labour auditors in performing their duties throughout the audit process.
• Ensure timely crop inspections are carried out by KEPHIS.
• Manage and enforce HSE rules and regulations.
• Undertake any other tasks/ assignment and projects as may be allocated from time to time.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & CAPABILITIES:

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• M.Sc. in agriculture/horticulture/agronomy/crop protection.
• Minimum of 5 years of field production or related experience.
• Driving license and Defensive driving certification

CRITICAL TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CAPABILITIES:

• Understanding basic agriculture, horticulture, agronomical knowledge.
• Understand of fertigation.
• Understanding of crop production planning.
• Understanding of crop protection and basic knowledge of pests and disease (symptom recognition).
• Detailed administrative skills.
• Understand MS-office and especially MS-Excel, Smart-sheet and Power BI

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES:

• Collaborate – Connect with the team, internal and external stakeholders; listen to other ideas to improve activities within the department.
• Curiosity – Ask questions, have an open-mind and constantly ask “why”, reach out to different stakeholders and literature.
• Accountable – Own results – good or bad, apply mitigating actions (seek assistance) and driven to achieve production targets.
• Courageous – Create an environment where the employees can experiment, take calculated risks, make mistakes and learn from the mistakes without retaliation. Embrace the Continuous Improvement working spirit.

Additional Information

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS & KEY CHALLENGES:

• Good organizational skills and Leadership skills.
• Ability to handle pressure.
• Agronomy knowledge.
• Basic genetics and seed science.
• Duty station is in Kibwezi and travelling between Ruiru (home farm) and duty station