Job Description

Job Summary

Senior Agronomist (JHB) IT - Analyst, Data Management
Johannesburg - Gauteng

ENVIRONMENT:

The specialist expertise of a Senior Agronomist is sought to join a dynamic & family-owned Agricultural business in Joburg where you will implement strategies, maintain outputs in operations while developing better planting, cultivation, and operational techniques. You will be expected to improve crop yield and quality and solve problems in the Production Department while managing stakeholders & ensuring that quality and execution is upheld. The successful incumbent must possess a BSc Degree and a minimum of 5 years experience in Agriculture, Agronomy, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. You must also have the ability to interpret field data and communicate to non-scientific stakeholders & proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers, together with GWF Business Management Systems.

DUTIES:

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; Like Packhouse Manager and Sales team, to implement the strategies that lead to increased adoption of sustainable practices, and efficiency and best quality in the Production Department.

Supervisory responsibilities -

• Lead and manage a team of Agronomists and Technicians.
• Oversee and co-ordinate all agronomical and technical field activities carried out by stakeholders (Irrigation and Farmers) and provide necessary agronomical technical backstopping to them for the 3 farm locations.
• Perform tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.

Other duties -

• Develop improvement plans and efficiency strategies for the Production Department that result and relate to improved yields, and quality.
• Plan, coordinate, organise and control agronomic aspects of the Production Department.
• Perform the best processes that lead to sustainable soil health and nutrient load reduction management.
• Analysis and recommendations based on soil and leaf samples, to make the best-informed decisions for the business and the crops.
• Develop and maintain production schedule. Develop growing and fertilizer programmes. Improve the Operations standards and outputs.
• Research and Development, for agrochemical/ biological products, Seed varieties, disease and pest control management.
• Implement and uphold the Global GAP standard and requirement for the business. Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Serve as a resource for Farmer Manager and Senior Production Manager relating to the implementation of nutrient management, crop health and soil health practices.
• Develop and implement agronomic production performance reporting to uphold the standards of the Production Department.
• Facilitate meetings, trainings, and the development of quality operators with the knowledge of pest control and how to manage Plant protection products. Look at all indicators that result in good outcome of inputs.
• Help design, implement and direct multiple complex production schedules, set and meet deadlines, and ensure schedule accountability is flagged and managed.
• Financial responsibility may include working within and managing a budget for planned schedules, negotiating and contracting with vendors or suppliers, assisting with budget development, and meeting financial efficiency targets.
• Land performance reporting, such as but not limited to; land costing, quality and yield evaluations.

REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc Degree and a minimum of 5 years experience in Agriculture, Agronomy, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing a team.
• Experience working for or with Agricultural Retailers and Sales Agronomists.
• Experience building, working in, or leading and interacting with multi-disciplinary teams including, Farm Managers, Operators, Agronomy Technicians, Business Managers, and External Scientists.
• Experience in training farmers and agricultural industry professionals.
• Experience managing projects, including managing finances, with diverse partners, both internal and external.
• Leading and managing a team of Agronomists and Technicians.
• Planning, co ordinating, organizing and controlling.
• Ability to interpret field data and communicate to non-scientific stakeholders.
• Ability to use applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers, together with GWF Business Management Systems.
• Ability to develop reporting from data and communicate clearly with the team.

Physical Requirements:

• 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 desk for prolonged hours.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means.
• Ability to work independently with respect to timelines and objectives.
• High ability for critical thinking and problem solving.
• Self-disciplined and motivated.
• Ability and willingness to apply Science to decision-making and guide activities.

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