Recruitment in a Horticultural Company Job in Kenya

We boast over 15 years of experience in the horticulture sector and have found our niche in the production, sourcing and supplying of, as well as trading in, country fresh fruits and vegetables; we provide an integrated supply chain from the grower source to various market segments and customers globally.  

We have recently injected a significant amount of private equity capital which will see us realize our very ambitious growth plan in the next couple of years, indeed, moving some of our operations from our current base upcountry to Nairobi. 

Vacancy: Quality and Food Safety Manager 
 

Job Purpose: You will be in charge of the quality operating team and be responsible for developing Quality Assurance Programs, provide day-to-day support to the operations team in management of product quality and ensuring food safety across the organization.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance of all products with all government food safety regulations, and maintain highest level of food safety through daily monitoring programs, team supervision, and on-going verification of internal and external laboratory or industry benchmarking
• Ensure that all facilities are in compliance with all GMP, HACCP.
• Interact effectively with KEBS and other regulatory bodies, food safety auditors, and customers to maintain positive & responsive relationships and assure rapid corrective actions through dynamic leadership and timely documentation.
• Develop, schedule, and direct GMP, Food Safety, and Quality Management System audits and monitor corrective actions to deficient findings for completion and effectiveness, providing gap closure assistance to the manufacturing facilities.
• Establish manufacturing specifications, standards, protocols and procedures for quality control and new product development
• Proactively identify potential and emerging food safety issues and develop strategies to effectively investigate and advise management on quality improvement
• Conduct quality training programs to all employees with emphasis on continuous improvement through identification and analysis of customer complaints and legal requirements.
• Develop and execute training programs that support the company’s objectives with regard to quality and food safety
• Keep the appropriate records and generate periodic quality reports that support decision making

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related discipline
• Minimum 3 years experience quality management in food processing
• Certification on any quality management system and formal audit training will be an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively work with all managerial levels, customers, regulatory, and other professional contacts
• Strong analytical problem solving skills with and ability to understand the key requirements in the Quality Systems and continuous improvement programs

Vacancy: Raw Materials Production Manager 

Job Purpose: Working with a team of professional agronomists, you will be responsible for all things agronomy in the organization particularly developing best practice crop husbandry standards and enforcing compliance on on-farms and contract farms. 
 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sustainable and/or time bound strategies and operational plans for extension services for selected crops.
• Ensure that production intensification approaches are environmentally sustainable and market relevant.
• Facilitate innovation and use of technology to improve yield and post-harvest handling.
• Supervise, support and hold accountable the agronomists and their field teams on efficient and effective delivery of training programmes at field level to improve crop productivity, post-harvest handling, and incomes of small holders.
• Engage the regional and district government in strategizing and planning to improve agriculture programs and practices.
• Support the market development unit to facilitate linkages of program producers groups to relevant value chain actors for improved  profitability for farmers.
• Ensure organization and implementation of farmer field days, farmers exchange visits, exposure visits for government officials and other partners as well as such similar learning and awareness creation endeavors.
• Facilitate the development of learning and training materials as well as information and communication bulletins.
• Supervise in conjunction with other Agronomic staff as may be required, field surveys related to agriculture and livelihood such as yield measurement, adoption rates, impact of extension services etc
• Write monthly, quarterly summaries and annual reports to the sector managers as maybe required for the purpose of program documentation, M&E and reporting to board of directors
• Contribute to organisation’s quarterly and annual planning meetings and budgeting process by furnishing timely information on the agronomic aspect of crop cultivation.
• Ensure adequate and useful communications linkages are maintained between the project management, the communities and other stakeholders in a transparent manner that eliminates confusion.
• Planning for the hiring and management of Farm operation staff.
• Logistic planning and execution for inputs and produce for own-farm crops
• Liaise with Production team in production planning and ensure implementation of area production plan
• Organize for the training and supervising farmers, area technical assistants and clerks and other staff
• Planning and organizing the carrying out of demos and trials and analysing demo results for production planning.
• Development and ensuring implementation of spray programs

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Agronomy or related field
• Minimum of 7 years experience, at least 3 in management, preferably in a horticulture farm
• Experience of long term planning including  financial and manpower planning
• Experience in implementing and enforcing quality systems and health and safety standards
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders including government officers, community leaders, etc
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Strong planning and organizational skills

Vacancy: Human Resource Manager
 

Key Purpose: You will lead, provide support and advice in all human resource activities including; recruitment, performance management, compensation and benefits, industrial and employee relations and performance management. 

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop, review and implement best practice HR policies and procedures that are legally compliant
• Coordinate and support the recruitment and selection process including job description development, recruitment and selection and issuing of employment contracts.
• Meet business needs by identifying and retaining key talent to inform succession and business plans, staff engagement and productivity.
• Lead, implement and manage talent and career development programs.
• Provide leadership in HR management and guide other managers in staff development, training, mentoring and coaching to improve staff performance, motivation and morale so as to attain and maintain a disciplined, committed and motivated team within the organization.
• Develop, implement and monitor compensation and benefits policies to attract, retain and motivate staff.
• Manage payroll processing and ensure statutory returns computations are submitted on time
• Drive industrial relations programs including liaison with the Union, FKE and Ministry of Labor on all issues relating to Employment Laws and Practice and take part in CBA negotiations.
• Negotiate service agreements with service providers and monitor service delivery.
• Take charge of Food Safety, Occupation Environment and Health and Safety policy making and implementation.
• Develop effective communication strategies to ensure workers are adequately informed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Business or any other relevant field supported with a Higher National Diploma or Diploma in Human Resource Management.
• Minimum of 5 years experience some of which should be at management level
• Solid understanding of local labour laws and expereince in a labour intensive environment
• Experience in industrial relations and handling of casual laborers.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Proven oral and written communicaiton skills inlcuding ability to write in a clear and concise manner
• Proficiency in computers
• Influential and natural ability to foster teamwork and manage conflicts

Vacancy: Farm Production Manager 

Job Purpose: You will be responsible for the development and implementation of best practise agronomy practices on our farms and/or contract farms that ensure that our products meet our client’s requirements / standards.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Mobilize, recruit, organize and manage potential farmers and farmer group activities
• Implementing area production plan and ensuring that harvest projections are effectively communicated to the relevant departments
• Training and supervising farmers, area technical assistants and clerks on good crop husbandry
• Carrying out demos and trials that facilitate standards setting and support farmer education on the best cost effective and technical method available for increasing crop production
• Inspecting the weeds and pests on crops, inventing newer methods of pest and weed control and/or recommending usage of appropriate pest control and fertilizers for the farmers
• Visiting fields regularly to monitor crop growth, yield and quality against set standards and targets, taking corrective action as necessary
• Reporting agronomical issues to the Production Manager
• Organizing loan request and advances for farmers

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Agronomy or relevant field
• Minimum of 3 years in a horticulture farm with growing responsibilities
• A solid understanding of the challenges of working with contract farmers
• Experience of managing field based staff
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and with minimum supervision

Vacancy: Factory Manager 

Job Purpose: You will be responsible for the running of the factory by planning, organizing and controlling  production to ensure that goods are produced efficiently, on time, within budget and to standard.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Plan, implement and control the production schedule, reviewing and adjusting the schedule where needed
• Determine the human and material resources required and manage them to meet the production targets
• Make key decisions about use, maintenance, modification and procurement of equipment.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production operations and ensure they are being adhered to across the department.
• Determine and implement improvements to the production process
• Ensure implementation and adherence to health and safety procedures
• Develop, implement, monitor and control product quality standards
• Monitor and review the performance of staff and organize necessary interventions for improvement
• Manage the cost of production through effective budgeting and budgetary control including cost management and continuous improvement programmes
• Ensure efficient collaboration and co-ordination between relevant departments including procurement, distribution and management
• Prepare period production reports that support decision making

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Food Technology, Industrial Technology or related subjects
• Proficiency in computers
• Experience in factory management preferably in production and manufacturing in a canning factory
• Sound knowledge of business management, finance, industrial engineering and human resource management principles and practices
• Knowledge and experience in implementing and ensuring compliance to, quality systems production standards and health and safety standards
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Strong planning, organizing, coordination and control abilities
• Influential and natural ability to foster teamwork and manage conflicts

Vacancy: Exports and Imports Co-ordinator 
 

Job Purpose: The incumbent is required to take charge of the import/export process and manage all relevant documentation as well as liaising with suppliers and importers.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Supervision of all operations pertaining to Exports & Imports including liaising with overseas customers and suppliers in regard to their contracts, orders, payments and shipping
• Prepare and follow up of IDFs, TREOs and Customs Bonds
• Record and file accurately all import and export documentation
• Co-ordinate Imports Clearance with Clearing Agent
• Liaise with Shipping Agent on import shipments
• Update Imports data and raise issues where necessary
• Receive and handle customer complaints and queries for export market and ensure they are addressed satisfactorily

Qualifications

• A Bachelors degree in Business or any other relevant field
• Diploma in clearing and forwarding or shipping will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar position
• Extensive experience with Customer Service or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of import/export documentation
• Strong relationship building and maintenance skills
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Understanding of Food safety, Environmental, Occupational Health and safety

Vacancy: Chief Executive Officer 
 

The CEO we seek will work closely with the Board of Directors during this transition stage and will be fully supported by a team of professionals in horticulture. 

Job Purpose: You will provide leadership in long and short-term planning, setting up of operations of the new factory, and overseeing the company’s operations to ensure operational efficiency, quality of products and cost effective management of resources.

Your Role

• Lead in the development of a short term (including a 100-day plan) and five year strategic plan
• Lead the implementation of the business plans aimed at realizing the company’s revenue, profitability and smallholder farmer benefits objectives.
• Monitor organization performance in all aspects i.e. financial, operational, etc through the review of activity reports and financial statements and taking corrective action as necessary
• Deliver operational excellence through the development and implementation of operational procedures, standards and policies, ensuring the factory attains various certifications such as IFRS, BRC or ECO –Cert within 6 months of operations.
• Monitor the organization’s material undertakings, activities and external factors affecting the company e.g. contracts, agreements, external regulatory requirements and ensure compliance
• In concert with the Board Chair, develop Board agendas and lead in preparing and presentation of management reports to the Board.
• Keep the Directors up-to-date with organization performance and provide accurate and timely information that enables them to form appropriate judgments and make decisions.
• Build a positive corporate brand by taking charge of corporate communications and effectively representing the company at meetings, formal functions and interfacing with different stakeholders.
• Establish and relationships with foreign buyers and enforce organizational standards to ensure products and factory are compliant to buyer requirements.
• Manage the performance of your team to include building their expertise and ensuring the delivery of the company objectives.

This position will suit an individual with:

• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting; an MBA will be a definite advantage.
• Ten years of experience in a leadership role of a large division in a company or as head of a medium sized company.
• Experience in strategic planning, formulating policies, standards and procedures and their implementation.
• Experience in contracting, negotiating and change management including process re-engineering.
• Experience in financial planning and management, ability to identify and secure funding/revenue sources and to analyze and interpret financial data for various stakeholders 
• Solid professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and interact at all levels of government and to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Demonstrable people management skills that include experience of staff development, motivating teams and working in a labour-intensive environment 
• Proven experience of successfully managing several projects simultaneously
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule and travel extensively.

How to Apply: 
 

Your application should include a cover letter demonstrating why you are the most suited candidate for this role; a detailed CV highlighting relevant experience, details of current and expected salary, a daytime phone contact, email address, and the names of three professional referees to:

Adept Systems

Management Consultants

P O Box 6416, Nairobi, GPO 00100

Email: recruit@adeptsystems.co.ke

Closing Date: Monday 16th March 2015

Only short listed candidates will be contacted. 

Please note that we do not charge fees for receiving or processing job applications.