This is a new company within a fast-growing agricultural production and commercial farming environment. You will provide leadership and coordination of the general farming administration, accounting, budgeting, and planning for the continued development and eventual farming and harvesting. You will interface with stakeholders and partners within the regional and international markets to grow and expand the farm’s operation to leverage its market share. The ideal candidate should be a self-starter, a hands-on farm manager with strong communication skills across all platforms (in-person, phone, emails), and be highly experienced in managing large-scale farms between 400-500 acres.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Assessing the commercial farming/agri-food production opportunities based on domestic, regional, and international market demand patterns.
- Planning for and prioritizing enterprise mix (crops, livestock, aquaculture, silviculture, etc.), to generate optimal returns; based on the agro-climatic/geographic location of the farm (primary production unit).
- Putting in place an investment plan for biological assets (crops livestock aquaculture etc.); equipment (machinery, irrigation equipment/infrastructure);
- human capital (with appropriate expertise in technical areas e.g. livestock and crops production, equipment/machine operators, and farmhands), and general finance and admin.
- With the help of a finance expert, putting together a financing plan and cash flow projections.
- Engaging suppliers of inputs and equipment to ensure value for money (based on quality, reliability, and timely delivery).
- Engaging customers through supply contracts/agreements and an off-taking schedule that optimizes the installed production capacity and the overall commercial objectives of the farm.
- Putting in place a feedback mechanism that triggers and sustains appropriate responses to customer needs and changes in the market.
- Actively looking for and responding to new/emerging market opportunities.
- Incentivizing and motivating staff to operate at their maximum productivity levels.
- Ensuring that equipment and farm infrastructure remain operable through continuous repair, maintenance, and replacement schedules.
- Ensuring that the production, handling, and delivery process meets the requisite global sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
- Monitoring the production process and ensuring that supply contracts and obligations are not breached.
- Having in place fit-for-purpose financial, talent, and risk management systems.
- Ensuring that profitability targets are met sustainably.
TYPE & AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE:
- A degree in Agriculture (crop, livestock, Fisheries); Engineering, Agribusiness, Finance, Veterinary Medicine.
- Additional competency-based training in farm operation management is a plus.
- An appreciation of the digital revolution and the use of ICT to drive business.
- Strong analytical skills, ability to work with numbers, and an appreciation of data and evidence-driven decision-making.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
- A good understanding of the agri-food sector (from production, distribution, processing, and consumer needs), deriving from at least 5 years of experience in a commercial production setting
- A passion for agriculture and food as a remunerative business venture.
- A deep understanding of global regional and domestic agri-food/commodity markets.
BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:
- A self-starter, go-getter, and fast learner with a flexible and agile mindset (responsive to changing demands in a timely fashion).
- Strong negotiation, team management, and organization skills.
- A good communicator (verbal and written), with proven client management and conflict resolution skills.
- An astute business acumen and ability to operate in a competitive environment
- Ability to identify and on-board appropriate talent to drive the business.
- A growth-oriented individual with proven resilience in the face of adversity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:
- On-site work model.
- Standard farm conditions.
How to Apply
All interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application ONLINE on or before 8th December 2023 at 5 PM.
Apply here: Here
This interview is open between Nov 25, 2023, and Dec 8, 2023.