DIRECTOR OF FARMING OPERATIONS

SUMMARY:
Rwanda – East-Central Africa: The Director of Farming Operations provides leadership, management and vision for the company's in-country operations and ensures the appropriate people, systems and procedures are in place for the successful development and performance of production areas

POSITION INFO:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bsc Agri with agronomy and or a business degree with agricultural background
• A minimum of 5 years previous experience in similar role
• Operate as a strategic and tactical thinker with a focus on executing plans
• Sound technical agronomy experience in horticultural crops
• Organizational leadership experience with multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to motivate employees and drive organizational change and development
• Excellent technical writing skills (proposals, reports, SOPs)
• Creative problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset
• Ability to communicate effectively with leadership, peers and employees
• A passion for helping people in the organization and community

Responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Design and implement farm development plans to ensure long-term productivity
• Develop test fields for crop and variety trials
• Establish crop yield and quality goals and evaluate performance
• Oversee the daily in-country operations and the work of managers and staff
• Write and submit reports to the Executive Team on all matters of importance
• Participate in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, partnerships)
• Manage key relationships with officials, agencies, partners, and vendors
• Implement a budgeting process for planning, tracking and reporting of financials
• Oversee company''s innovation initiatives and local outreach programs
• Establish field data management, sensor and automation control systems
• Oversee the hiring, training and professional development of staff
• Lead employees toward maximum performance and dedication
• Identify and leverage technical experts (researchers, consultants) as necessary
• Participate in local/international trade groups and professional organizations
• Manage local contractors and facility construction projects

Operational Systems:

Operational data management and reporting in place by end Q3 2021

Financials tracking and reporting

Employee tracking and payroll

Farm activity record-keeping system (sprays/fertilizer/irrigation/etc)

Develop Standard Operating Procedures by end of Q4 2021

Team Building:

Recruit, hire and train staff per project needs and within Budget constraints

Negotiate wages and conditions of employment per country regulations

Develop staff performance goals and evaluation plan

Foster a climate of excellence and cooperation; resolve conflicts

Communications:

Timely and consistent communication with Executive team throughout year

Scheduled operational reports complete and submitted on-time

Available for calls and knowledgeable of all farm activities and project progress

Regularly meeting with staff for updates, weekly and monthly objectives, and training

Notify Executive team of high-priority issues promptly

Professional Development:

Identify key agricultural organizations and events for participation

Maintain professional accreditation – Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Certified Professional Agronomist (CPA), Pest Control Adviser (PCA), etc

Network with local agricultural experts, farmers and manufacturer reps

Identify any need for language training

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES - YEAR 2021

Project Planning:

Participate and contribute during all Executive strategic planning meetings

Develop PROJECT PLAN - PHASE 1 by end of Q2 2021

Farm development plan (crops/acres/planting schedule)

Staffing requirements (managers/equip. ops/training reqs)

Equipment and material quantities and sourcing

Permitting approvals and schedule

Estimated schedule to production

Budget projections and capital expenditure estimates

Develop PROJECT PLAN - PHASE 2 by end of Q4 2021

Project Execution:

PHASE 1 initiated by start of Q3 2021

Nursery stock orders and shipping

Equipment orders and shipping

Recruiting/staffing

Permit applications submitted for approval

Planting and production activities according to PLAN schedule

PHASE 1 complete according to PLAN schedule

PHASE 2 initiated by start of Q1 2022

PHASE 2 complete according to PLAN schedule

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted

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