Agriculture Manager

Job Purpose

This role will primarily be responsible for overseeing the efficient development, production, harvesting, transportation and delivery raw sugar cane per year from our farms and contracted farmers and Outgrowers.

The Job Holder will be expected to execute and deliver excellence in planning and implementing strategies to achieve agreed production, quality and cost targets; provide direction to, and monitor performance of field direct reports ensuring each of their zones are effectively coordinated; and prepare strategic and operational plans in line with corporate direction to optimize productivity of the Agriculture Department within acceptable business standards.

Key Responsibilities / Duties / Tasks

• Influence  outcomes  through  development  and  implementation  of  clear  strategic  goals, departmental policies and procedures and provision of guidance to direct reports and monitoring their performance (KPIs) to ensure each of their allocated zones/areas are effectively coordinated.
• Oversee a large and diverse team, lead and motivate to ensure effective employee engagement and consistent performance against set targets
• Liaising with the Risk Management/Sustainability Department to develop standards, procedures, plans and strategies to minimise incidents within operations.
• Maintain continual communication with the Transport and Harvesting Teams to ensure smooth harvesting, handling and delivery of cane from the farms to the weighbridges and the Mill to minimize trash.
• Ensure farm implements and equipment are optimally operated and safeguarded as per manufacturers’ specifications and approved Company maintenance policy and schedules.
• Review scheduled deliveries with farmers to ensure harvested cane meet Company set quality standards and milling requirements.
• Ensure the Transport and Weighment sections comply with road user and weights measures’ rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, load capacity and parking) as stipulated by the Company policies and procedures.

II. Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Strategic management of Agriculture Function to ensure achievement of short, medium, and long-term production and cost management goals.
• Meeting Cane production targets on a yearly basis.
• Meeting fertilizer program including budget
• Oversee land preparation, cane-seed development, fertilizer regimes, weed control, ripening, replant and harvesting programs.
• Provide effective and efficient on-farm technical support to farmers to ensure prudent utilization of soil fertility information, suitable cane varieties and appropriate farm inputs.
• Manage Service Levels of all Contractors involved in land preparation, planting, fertilizer and fertigation application, cane cutting, loading, and hauling, weed control, pest and disease control, mechanization, and security as well as monthly SLA evaluation and reporting on contractor performance, cost, and quality.
• Undertake astute financial management and control by compiling a budget for all contracted farmers, including the analysing of cost per Ha, capex as well as business plan and quarterly forecasting.
• Oversight of mechanical harvesting and planting in line with the normal protocols.
• Responsible for safety and risk management, which is inclusive of applicable quality management systems and international audit standards / protocols.
• Supervision of Agriculture staff, training and capacity building and performance reviews and evaluations.

JOB DIMENSIONS

I.          Financial Responsibility:

• Commercially savvy with sound financial acumen and the ability to support the overall strategic growth of the business.
• Trustworthy with a great sense of responsibility aimed at the safeguarding Company’s
• properties including machinery and farm implements/equipment. Responsible for tracking mileage, documented delivery schedules, inventory delivery approvals, safe and timely delivery of cane to the Mill

II. Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Clear understanding of basic machinery maintenance and security management.
• Assets management/documentation and report writing.

III. Decision Making / Job Influence

• Promote and adhere to WEVAS’ core values and ensure compliance with organizational
• policies and procedures.
• Have exceptional time management skills and capable of working well under pressure especially in adverse situations such as low /disruptive supply of cane to the Mill.
• Work in liaison with Transport department and Weighbridges to plan truck routes, monitor movement and smooth handling of deliveries within the stipulated timelines

IV. Working Conditions:

• Work predominantly in farm fields, weighbridge, warehousing and milling environments.
• Adaptable and foresight to handle unexpected situations (farmer complaints, weather conditions, delayed cane deliveries, etc.)
• Ability and willingness to live/work in a remote location and make frequent field trips as demanded by work exigencies.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).

• Hold a tertiary/degree qualification in Agriculture (Plant Production), Agronomy or Agricultural Engineering.
• Diploma/certificate in agriculture and/or extension services is an added advantage.
• Cane Husbandry is preferred

II.    Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

• Member of a professional body
• Maintained a clean valid driving license

III.   Previous relevant work experience required.

• At least five (5) years of experience in a similar managerial position with extensive experience in large-scale Estate Agriculture, including demonstrable experience with sugar cane

Functional Skills:

• Demonstrate the knowledge and abilities needed to operate successfully at a senior management level.
• strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with a range of stakeholders on a daily basis.
• Contract negotiations, financial management skills and Outgrowers’ experience.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of rules and regulations governing Sugar industry.

Behavioral Competencies/Attributes:

• Ability to make sound decisions at all times, including emergency situations.
• Demonstrate day-to-day cultural sensitivity when interacting with employees, farmers and external stakeholders alike.
• Ability to work professionally in a fast-paced diverse work environment.
• Thorough understanding of road user laws and demonstrated ability to “think fast on your feet”
• Flexible and able to operate a six (6) full day working week and cover vast areas of contracted farms.

Note: This Job Profile will be updated regularly in line with strategic business directions undertaken by Management and the revision communicated to the Job Holder.

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