Roles & Responsibilities:
Oversee crop management from preparation of land, propagations, seeding (including nursery) up to and including harvesting
Assist the Food Innovation and Indigenization Manager in managing all Novel-ingredient and Groundskeeping on-farm activities including planning of all seeding, nursery propagations, growing and harvesting, sorting, packaging, pruning, pest control, Live-stock and record keeping.
Ensure safety protocols are followed from time to time and that every staff is aware of critical control points (CCPs)
Ensure proper assigning of duties, such as Propagations, planting, weeding, scouting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, packaging, grading and equipment maintenance.
Ensure efficient utilization of farm labor to avoid high wage bill and cutting down on unnecessary farm costs.
Assist in stock-taking of farm Inputs, assets and keep track on when re-order levels are due.
Implement a farm records management system, and ensure timely updates to management on project progress status under the guidance of the Food Innovation and Indigenization Manager
Embrace innovative ways to farming, advising on best practice.
Oversee post-harvest processing including storage and packaging in preparation of sale.
Ensure proper maintenance and repair of farm machinery equipment I.e. Brush cutters and Shredder machine.
Assist in Planning activities for training staff, mentoring and monitoring
Ensure maintaining and monitoring the quality of yields as well as understanding the implications of the weather and making contingency plans
Ensure compliance of the farm activities with internal and external (government) set standards.
Responsible for maintaining knowledge on pests and diseases and an understanding of how they spread and the best way to organically treat.
Skills and qualifications:
Degree /Diploma in agricultural economics, agronomy, agribusiness, and a related field.
4+ years' experience in a commercial farm environment, managing farm assets and farm labor.
Knowledge on agrochemicals and the permissible residue levels for various markets is desirable.
Strong understanding of greenhouse and open field farming technology required.
Strong personality and managerial competencies to manage large group of workers
Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional departments and ensure timely resolution of challenges.
Capable of effective resource allocation to meet operational demands while adhering to budgetary constraints.
Strong understanding of safety protocols and critical control points (CCPs) with the ability to enforce SOPs, ensure team training on safe harvesting operations
Knowledge of governing regulations, both internal and external, with a strict adherence to compliance requirements