Commercial Field Agronomist - Parow CDC Snacks at PepsiCo

Responsibilities
What we’re looking for:

• We are looking for a Commercial Field Agronomist to join our dynamic team.
• The main purpose is provide Agronomic leadership and technical growing support to Pioneer Oats growers and to Simba potato growers.
• Roll out revised agricultural best practices to new and existing growers to support IPS product design.
• Responsible for production information capturing, volume forecasting and the successful integration of new proprietary varieties within the BU’s agronomy productivity agenda.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for educating growers on latest agronomic practices that drive best in class small grain and potato quality, increased yields, reduce foreign objects, inspects and recommend farmer washing/grading operations and equipment.
• Develop, implement and maintain good handling practices for potatoes to ensure high quality potatoes from field and storage to the factory.
• Develop, implement and maintain good harvesting practices for Oats to ensure high quality potatoes from field and storage to the mill.
• Provide growers with best in class, specialist agronomic support to deliver improved quality, monitor crop performance (SmartAgro) 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 production schedulers regularly, Quality representatives , FLM’s and Operations Managers where needed to facilitate effective management of the supply chain from farm to production.
• Facilitate the successful integration of potato varieties 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 Agro 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.
• Drive practices that stem from the Pep Positive agenda by drawing up and excecuting plans against Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture
• Ensure that all farmers and supply adheres the SQA requirements

Qualifications
What will qualify you for the role

• Specialist Agronomical Knowledge of Small Grain and/or Potato Crop, 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.
• Bilingual.
• Experience in the processing sector would be an advantage.
• Experience in Agronomy related food safety programs.