Senior Agronomist West Rand

Job Summary : Developing better planting, cultivation, and operational techniques, improving crop yield and quality, and solving problems in the production department.

Implementing strategies, maintaining outputs in operations through engaging and managing stakeholders while ensuring that quality and execution is upheld.

Objectives of this Role

Steward, facilitate, and leverage existing relationships with members of the production sector, including farm managers, suppliers, and procurement teams, management of the business, and supply chain partners, such as packhouse managers and sales teams, to implement strategies that lead to increased adoption of sustainable practices, efficiency, and best quality in the production department.

Duties & Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities : Leading and managing a team of Agronomists and Technicians. Overseeing and coordinating all agronomical and technical field activities carried out by stakeholders (irrigation and farmers) and providing necessary agronomical technical backstopping for the 3 farm locations (Tarlton, Bokpoort, and Christiana). Performing tasks with minimal supervision and making independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Developing improvement plans and efficiency strategies for the production department that result in improved yields and quality.
2. Performing the best processes that lead to sustainable soil health and nutrient load reduction management.
3. Conducting analysis and recommendations based on soil and leaf samples to make informed decisions for the business and crops.
4. Developing and maintaining production schedules and growing and fertilizer programs.
5. Researching and developing agrochemical / biological products, seed varieties, and disease and pest control management.
6. Implementing and upholding the Global GAP standard and ensuring program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
7. Serving as a resource for the farm manager and senior production manager regarding nutrient management, crop health, and soil health practices.
8. Developing and implementing agronomic production performance reporting to uphold production department standards.
9. Facilitating meetings, training, and developing quality operators knowledgeable in pest control and plant protection products.
10. Designing, implementing, and directing multiple complex production schedules, setting and meeting deadlines, and ensuring schedule accountability is managed.
11. Managing a budget for planned schedules, negotiating and contracting with vendors or suppliers, assisting with budget development, and meeting financial efficiency targets.
12. Conducting land performance reporting, including land costing, quality, and yield evaluations.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Education and Experience : BSc degree and a minimum of 5 years' experience in agriculture, agronomy, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in managing a team. Experience working with agricultural retailers and sales agronomists. Experience building, working in, or leading multi-disciplinary teams including farm managers, operators, agronomy technicians, business managers, and external scientists. Experience training farmers and agricultural industry professionals. Experience managing projects, including finances, with diverse partners, both internal and external.

Required Key Skills / Abilities :

1. Leading and managing a team of Agronomists and Technicians.
2. Planning, coordinating, organizing, and controlling.
3. Ability to interpret field data and communicate to non-scientific stakeholders.
4. Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
5. Ability to develop reporting from data and communicate clearly with the team.
6. Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means.
7. Ability to work independently with respect to timelines and objectives.
8. High ability for critical thinking and problem-solving.
9. Self-disciplined and motivated.

Package & Remuneration

R45,000 - R65,000 per month - 5 years working experience required. Required to travel. Required to work outside and be in the field. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Sitting at a desk for prolonged hours.

Typical Work Hours :

7:00 – 17:00 (Expectation to travel outside of these work hours may be required.)