Our Client in the Agriculture Sector is seeking to appoint the Head of Agriculture. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the position. The incumbent reports to the CEO and supervises Agronomists, Field Officers and the Administrator.
Please send your CV in word format. Also provide your current salary and benefits details!
The Job:
Direct and coordinate, through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities of workers engaged in agricultural crop production for the organisation. Experience in management of caster bean, maize, soya, and vegetables production. Will be responsible for managing farms around Zimbabwe, within agreed budget and financial objectives and identify and mitigate risks to the business.
Responsibilities:
- Develop the Agric technical division strategic and annual business plans to achieve company objectives and targets.
o Planning, budgets, forecasts, implementing, managing and monitoring of agricultural activities and productivity.
o Formulate plant protection and nutrition programmes and ensures adherence to good agronomic practices by the Farmers contracted.
- Develops and manages agricultural information systems for use in the setting up of crop production targets and resource utilization efficiency parameters.
o Directs and coordinates worker activities, such as planting, irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, grading, payroll, and recordkeeping.
o Formulate plant protection and nutrition programmes and ensures adherence to good agronomic practices.
o Drive ongoing continuous improvement focusing on detail that improves quality, volumes and yields.
o Attention to detailed operations systems and SOPs to drive productivity and quality and crop planning from field through storage house.
- Coordinate the formulation of irrigation systems and programmes on water, power supply utilization and optimization.
- Develops and manages agricultural information systems for use in the setting up of crop production targets and resource utilization efficiency parameters.
- Manages and directs all Agric Training and SHE programs in the Agriculture Technical Department.
o Drive adoption of global best practices and benchmarks with local innovation.
o Plan and develop depth of skills and capacity at all levels through operations
o Contracts with farmers for raising of crops or for management of crop production.
o Coordinates growing activities with those of engineering, equipment maintenance, packing houses, and other related departments.
o Records information, such as production, farm management practices, and parent stock, and prepares financial and operational reports.
o Determines procedural changes in drying, grading and storage for greater efficiency and accuracy.
o Inspects crops and fields to determine maturity dates of crops or to estimate potential crop damage from weather.
o Recommends hybrid plant varieties with high yield or disease and insect resistant characteristics.
o Recommends purchase of appropriate machinery, equipment, and supplies, such as tractors, seed, fertilizer, and chemicals.
o Perform any other duties as directed by superiors
Qualifications, Experience and Skills:
o BSc degree in Agriculture/ Agricultural Engineering.
o MSc in Agricultural Engineering would be an added advantage.
o 10 to 15 years’ experience including senior general management experience.
o Strong mathematical, analytical, and business acumen / aptitude.
o The candidate’s career must also include working for a large Estate or agricultural operation and not just a farm operation as senior managerial and leadership skills are required.
o Knowledge of various farm equipment and operation
o Knowledge of commercial caster bean and soya bean
Salary – Highly Negotiable
Email CVs to Mirriam Dzapasi: mirriam@valcol.co.zw