Research Agronomist at The South African Breweries (SAB)

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Research project design & planning

• Develop and propose research projects with clear objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes, focusing on crops specified by business needs (e.g., Barley, Sorghum, Cassava), aligned with crop quality and sustainability goals.
• Identify key agronomic challenges and design studies addressing local and regional needs to improve crop performance and supply stability across Africa.

Project execution & supervision

• Lead the implementation of research trials across diverse agro-climatic zones in Africa, ensuring scientific rigor and best practices.
• Coordinate with agronomy teams and field staff for trial setup, data collection, and monitoring throughout the crop lifecycle for business-specified crops.
• Act as the SPOC between local agronomy teams and Global Barley Research and Brewgen to drive communication, project alignment, and resource sharing.

Data collection, analysis, & reporting

• Collect, organize, and analyze trial data, using statistical tools to derive valuable insights on the performance of business-specified crops.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and actionable recommendations for agronomy teams to enhance crop quality and yield.
• Maintain transparent, well-documented records for all data and reports for reference and follow-up studies.

Collaboration & stakeholder engagement

• Engage with research organizations, government bodies, input suppliers, and other stakeholders to facilitate structured, well-managed projects on business-specified crops.
• Seek and secure external funding and sponsorship to support and expand research capabilities across crop types.

Budgeting & resource allocation

• Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses and optimizing resource use.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining research quality and objectives.

Publication & knowledge dissemination

• Publish research findings on business-specified crops in peer-reviewed journals to contribute to the scientific community and promote agronomic advancements in Africa.
• Present findings at industry events, technical forums, and field days, showcasing practical applications and benefits of research in these key crops.

Capacity building & knowledge transfer

• Train and mentor junior agronomists, field staff, and partners on research methodologies, data collection, and best practices specific to business-specified crops.
• Develop knowledge-sharing materials and conduct workshops to enable agronomy teams to effectively apply research insights.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred).
• 3–5 years’ experience in agronomic research, field trial management, or a related role within the agricultural sector.
• Proven track record in publishing research and securing external funding for agronomic projects.
• This position requires frequent travel across Africa to oversee research trials and engage with stakeholders on business-specified crops.
• Familiarity with African agricultural systems and a commitment to sustainable practices.
• Experience working with research organizations.