Assistant Field Production Specialist

JOB PURPOSE: 

To ensure timely and consistent production of highbreed vegetable seeds of the required quantity, quality by the contracted Vendor/Growers.

​​​​​​​KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in ensuring land/GH preparation in time and according to protocols ahead of planting season.
• Assist in receiving stock seeds and have all relevant quality information with them.
• Assist in implementing and overviewing the Fair Labour Program and eventual other certifications.
• Ensure timely nursery preparation to adhere to the sowing calendar.
• Advise on necessary consumables necessary for successful production activities of the ordered quantities.
• Ensure proper labeling at all stages for traceability and purity control.
• Train production teams at different levels on relevant activities and protocols to enhance productivity and efficiency i.e. planting, labeling, training, de-suckering, defoliation, rouging, emasculation, pollen harvesting, pollination, harvesting, extraction, drying, storage, packing, and advises on shipment procedures.
• Ensure preparation and submission of monthly Vendor Progress Reports (VPR) to the relevant production manager to ensure the planners and marketing teams are reliably informed on the production progress.
• Assist in preparing and disseminates precise but informative ad hoc and periodical reports to the stakeholders to keep all fully informed and up-to-date with the vendor activities
• Seek, obtain and share technical information concerning any issues that the vendor may require – tapping into the Syngenta knowledge base on behalf of the vendor
• Train and guide/ensure adherence to Phytosanitary standards in the field to control pests and diseases.
• Advise on crop protection, irrigation and crop nutrition and follows up to ensure any anomalies are corrected.
• Assist in ensuring the vendor collects and provides data on various growing and productivity parameters to assist in evaluation, decision making as well as cost transparency
• Assist in ensuring contracts are availed and signed off by the vendors in good time
• Coordinate relevant teams to ensures crop inspections by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services ( KEPHIS)
• Train and enforce HSE rules and regulations and champions the implementation of the Syngenta HSE policy in all business operations (step by step starting with high priorities and quick wins).
• Assist evaluate production/seasons to measure performance and identify areas of improvement
• Perform new vendor scouting and assessment based on agreed criteria whenever required
• Any other task & project as may be assigned from time to time.

• Undergraduate degree in Agriculture/Horticulture from a recognised University  or its equivalent
• 5 years’ experience in a similar role
• Valid Driver’s license preferably Class BCE

Key Skills & Attributes

• Good analytical skills
• Person of Integrity
• Computer literate
• Team player and keen to details
• Passionate and Assertive
• Good people manager
• Ability to work under pressure
• Mature and understanding person with ability to handle growers/ investors.
• Good communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders

Syngenta is a Global Agribusiness Company with its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. We are a market leader in the breeding and production of Seeds and Cuttings of the high-quality pot and bedding plants. In Kenya, we have two production Sites; Kenya Cuttings Limited based in Thika, and Pollen Limited based in Ruiru.