Senior Agronomist Commercial Farms

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

Under direction from Company management and agricultural experts, support farmers to produce chip-stock that meets international standards of PepsiCo for Crisp (chips) processing.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensuring Farm advisory service to build capability of farm staff from sowing till harvesting and post-harvest handling through field agronomist
• Ensure that good agricultural practices are followed on the farms producing potatoes for PepsiCo
• Crop scouting and follow ups with recommendations to growers.
• Provide visibility of crop performance in the field and recommend corrective actions
• Participate in trainings and other forums showcasing Best Practices and developing its lift and shift to growers in Ethiopia.
• Capability building of growers to adapt Sustainable Farming Program and implement its agenda at farms.
• Help commercial farms in variety trials, evaluation and other research as and when required.
• New area development to stretch the fresh window for continuous fresh potato supply to reduce reliance on expensive storage and ensuring best quality fresh Potatoes
• Training to field team and farmers staff on crop best practices
• Promoting use of machinery at field operations making a WIN for growers and business, as cost-effective measure to ensure quality of crop
• Under direction, manage specific potato projects and programs for improving yields and quality
• Help farmers in better crop management through Farms visits and advisory efficacy
• Supporting Field data collection and grower’s complaint/suggestion handling.
• General advisory to growers without recommendation any brands
• Apart from the above, employee is expected to perform other accountabilities, time to time assigned by the manager.

Job Requirement

QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE / COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

 Knowledge / Skill:

• Agriculture Graduate Recommended - Master's Degree in Production Sciences ie. Agronomy & Plant Science, Soil sciences and Horticulture.
• Knowledge of potato growing area, farmers and crop management
• Technical know-how about different pest and their control.
• Fluent in English and local languages
• Having strong analytical skills and being result oriented

Experience:

•  3 / 4 years’ experience at supervisory level with any agribusiness company

Competencies:

•  Ability to understand the crop position and recommending the effective solution
• Confidence to engage large scale growers at meetings
• Management decisions at crop/farm level, 1-3 times per week contact with farmers/suppliers
• Correct and timely collection as well submission of data on day to day basis