Agricultural Manager (Non-Sugarcane)

The Agricultural Manager will lead the optimization of crop production operations, ensuring best practices are applied in soil management, irrigation, pest control, and overall crop health.

The manager will oversee the full crops planning’s and crop cycles, from land preparation, mechanization requirements, equipment’s maintenance, to post-harvest handling, by working closely with Group’s management, field supervisors, and field workers.

A major focus of this role at the onset is the rehabilitation of tea fields to significantly increase the productive area under tea leaves plucking. The manager ensures high agronomic performance, sustainable practices, and effective use of resources across all crop systems.

Main Responsibilities:

Develop seasonal crop plans, combining conventional and organic/bio plots based on market demand, land suitability, and rotation schedules.

Select suitable varieties for each system and determine optimal planting timelines.

Ensure effective use of inputs (organic or conventional) and water resources.

Assess the condition of underperforming tea fields and identify priority areas for rehabilitation.

Work towards maximizing the area under tea plucking by restoring idle or poorly maintained plots to full productivity. Monitor rehabilitation progress and adjust plans to meet targeted plucking area and yield increases/Targets.

Conduct field inspections to assess crop conditions and identify potential issues (e.g., pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies).

Assist with the design, implementation, and maintenance of irrigation systems to optimize water usage and ensure crops receive proper hydration.

Identify pest and disease outbreaks, and recommend strategies to mitigate damage with minimum environmental impact.

Responsible for greenhouse environment management and maintenance of plant material in assigned greenhouses.

Promote and implement sustainable farming practices, soil conservation, and water management.

Apply organic/bio cultivation techniques for identified crops/areas.

Work on ongoing agricultural research projects related to non-sugarcane crops.

Implement experimental planting and cultivation trials to assess effectiveness.

Ensure machinery and available workforce are used efficiently to support all crop systems.

Lead and support field staff to achieve productivity goals.

Ensure a safe working environment by enforcing health and safety regulations and overseeing the proper use of chemicals and machinery in line with industry standards.

Manage agricultural budgets and procurement to ensure efficient resource use, while monitoring cost-effectiveness and identifying opportunities for savings.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of experience in managing mixed-crop systems, including experience with organic/bio cultivation (Permaculture principles).

Solid understanding of both conventional and organic farming systems.

Qualifications:

Degree or Certificate in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field. Together ideally with relevant exposure or training in organic farming or sustainable agriculture.

Competencies:

Strong agronomic knowledge across diverse crops

Familiarity with organic farming standards and practices

Excellent planning and organising skills – ability to coordinate crop cycles, workforceplanning, equipment, and inputs efficiently

Excellent leadership and team coordination skills

Effective communication and reporting ability

Tactical strategic thinking and adaptability to mixed production systems

Commitment to sustainable and responsible agriculture