(3year Contract): Commercial Field Agronomist x3 at PepsiCo

Responsibilities

What we’re looking for:

• We are looking for 3X Commercial Field Agronomist that have experience in potato, wheat, maize, raisin, or barley to join our dynamic team.
• To provide services that are critical in providing support to enable farmers to perform and managing/mitigating the fund’s risk on the ground in addition to Agronomic leadership and technical growing support to  the crop growers.
• Roll out revised agricultural best practices to new and existing growers to support IPS product design. Responsible for production information capturing (Croptrack), volume forecasting and the successful integration of new PepsiCo proprietary varieties within the BU’s agronomy productivity agenda.
• Identify potential Enterprises, for development purposes, that meet Kgodiso’s objectives and focus areas in the catchment areas that supports PepsiCo’s supply chain
• Provide in depth farm business assessment, focusing on resources that have potential for success, e.g. jockey/ owner’s potential, farm potential, machinery & equipment, crop potential and business growth and success potential
• Support farming enterprises to formalise their farming business and prepare the business plans and supporting documents to Kgodiso
• Support farming enterprises to manage production, crop management, financial, operational and market risks
• Support the farming enterprise to grow, scale and become commercially independent

The Key responsibilities are:

• Responsible for educating growers on latest agronomic practices that drive best in class crop quality (lower defects, higher solids), increased yields, reduce foreign objects, inspects and recommend farmer washing/grading operations and equipment.
• Develop, implement and maintain good handling practices for crops to ensure high quality crops from storage to the factory.
• Provide growers with best in class, specialist agronomic support to deliver improved crop quality, monitor crop performance (Croptrack) and implement sustainable improvements across all growers and growing regions.
• Provide regional Agro management with monthly commercial crop volume estimates compared to contracted volumes, forecast crop losses where it occur, and/or identify potential supply risks in order to effectively plan for “short/over-supply” for commercial contract periods.
• Interact with plant schedulers regularly, crop laboratory when needed, FLM’s and Operations Managers where needed to facilitate effective management of the different crop supply chain from farm to production.
• Facilitate the successful integration to include a variety of crops into SA Program (identify suitable fields and areas for field trials, monitor fields and crop progress regularly, monitor crop quality, arrange plant trials and jointly collate and analyze conversion and consumer performance).
• Assist Commercial Supply Manager in selecting regional strategic planting areas and farmers that will minimize risk and maximize productivity.
• Facilitate and execute research projects (new plant materials, fertilizers and chemical, planting and irrigation practices), which will contribute positively to sustainability and productivity programs.
• Stay updated with latest/best available technology in the agricultural industry in order to be able to assist farmers in making informed decisions.
• Management of application process
• Preparation and submission of application pack the include business plans and supporting documents
• Fulfilment of conditions of approval
• Management of draw down process
• Farmer support (Agronomy)
• Support with procurement of inputs and insurance
• Production and crop management including:
• Soil management
• Production input management
• Crop quality and yield management
• Harvesting and post-harvest handling
• Marketing of crop with PepsiCo and other markets
• Repayment of loan facility
• Submission of progress reports (means of verification) and documents management
• Farmer development
• Complete the Risk management tool and profiling of each farmer
• Providing/facilitating a development plan e.g. development programme (which clearly articulates gaps, interventions, stages and wean-off) and technology adoption
• Develop a growth strategy of each farming operation (scaling of farming operations) to be submitted with new season application
• Submission of farmer development reports and document management

Qualifications

What will qualify you for the role

• Specialist Agronomical Knowledge of  potato, wheat, maize, raisin, or barley with emphasis on quantity and quality forecasting (Preferably B.Sc. (Agric) degree or Diploma in agriculture).
• Knowledge and experience of agricultural industry (5 + years).
• Good technical and planning skills.
• High level of computer literacy.