Careers
Job Opening Details
Head of Agronomy Plantation Services
About the role
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as the Head of Services, to lead a team of tropical plantation agronomy and crop protection staff to recommend to clients optimal plantation practices (including oil palm fertiliser recommendations) and appropriate integrated pest & disease strategies. As the leader of our services division, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Managing the service relationships with our strategic shareholder companies and partner clients
- Writing proposals and explaining the value of new plantation service projects
- Ensuring Verdant’s services staff are managed to deliver value generating recommendations to agreed mile stoned schedules
- Ensuring service recommendations are either supported by the latest objective field trial results and/or are justified judgements
- Proposing new areas of agronomy, crop protection and Geographical Information System work/trials to confront the current issues of the plantation industry
- Working with the services team to develop presentations and advisory reports to the highest standards. Ensuring that Verdant proposes a single recommendation for each issue but with alternative options also explained
- Managing Verdant’s Plant & Soil Nutrition analytical laboratory including the quality control tests and procedures to the highest international standards.
The ideal candidate should be an energised and motivating leader who possess a strong background in agronomy, with a focus on oil palm, and demonstrate a proven track record in implementing innovative and sustainable farming techniques. The Head of Services will collaborate closely with other Verdant departments to drive productivity, quality and efficiency across the plantations of our partners and to ensure that the latest field trials or science findings are commercially implemented.
If you are a visionary leader with a passion for agriculture and a deep understanding of oil palm cultivation, we invite you to apply and be a vital part of our commitment to sustainable value generating and responsible agronomic practices.
The position embraces:
- Agronomic Planning and Strategy:
- Develop and implement comprehensive agronomic plans to optimise oil palm cultivation practices and return on investment from plantation assets
- Formulate strategies for sustainable yield improvement, taking into account environmental and conservation considerations.
- Crop Management:
- Oversee and manage all aspects of advice with regards to oil palm crop nutrition, including planting, pruning, harvesting, and replanting activities.
- Implement and supervise integrated pest and disease management (IPM) programmes to ensure effective prevention, and where necessary, control of pests and diseases.
- Fertilisation and Nutrition:
- Supervise and approve fertiliser application programmes to enhance optimal balanced nutrient uptake and promote healthy oil palm growth.
- Implement programmes to monitor soil health and recommend adjustments to maintain optimal nutrient balance.
- Innovation:
- Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in agronomy, incorporating innovative practices to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Collaborate with research institutions to conduct trials and experiments aimed at improving oil palm cultivation techniques.
- Compliance and Standards:
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, sustainability standards, and industry best practices.
- Implement and monitor quality assurance measures to meet certification requirements.
- Help to ensure the company’s scientific procedures are relevant and deploy innovative technology, while ensuring they are compliant with the ISO9001 Quality Management System standards.
- Team Leadership:
- Lead, motivate and mentor the Services team, providing guidance and support in the execution of daily tasks and long-term goals.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within the agronomy department.
- Collaboration:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve overall strategic objectives.
- Coordinate with external stakeholders, such as government agencies and community representatives, to build positive relationships and address shared concerns.
- Reporting and Analysis:
- Generate regular reports on agronomic performance, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Manage data and analyse to identify trends and opportunities for optimising oil palm cultivation practices.
- Budget Management:
- Develop and manage budgets for Services activities, ensuring cost-effectiveness and resource optimisation.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and increase overall sustainability in oil palm cultivation.
Qualifications and experience required:
- An energetic and dynamic, mid-career manager with significant agronomy services experience. Candidates that have tropical agricultural and/or plantation experience would hold an advantage.
- Degree and experience in the field of plant science, agriculture, and crop protection.
- Evidence of senior leadership managing teams.
- Willingness to live on a North Sumatra plantation and to travel within Indonesia and potentially internationally
In addition, the following transferable skills would be advantageous:
- Solid interpersonal skills, including the ability to convey complex information in a comprehensible manner.
- Proficiency in English grammar, vocabulary, and business communication is essential for this role.
- Cultural awareness and a high level of emotional stability.
- Good level of financial acuity.
- Bahasa Indonesia or willingness to learn
Remuneration & benefits:
- Attractive salary (dependent on skills and experience)
- Bonus eligibility
- Housing
- Transportation
- Contribution towards education of children up to age 18 (if applicable)
- Medical insurance
Submit your application to info@verdantbioscience.com, including your Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter highlighting your qualifications, experience, relevant motivations, and why you wish to join us.
