Syngenta is a leading science-based agtech company. We help millions of farmers around the world to grow safe and nutritious food, while taking care of the planet.

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Post Harvest Lead

Job Type

Full Time

Qualification

MBA/MSc/MA

Experience

4 - 5 years

Location

Kiambu

Job Field

Agriculture / Agro-Allied

ROLE PURPOSE:

The successful candidate will manage all post-harvest processes (fruit reception, quality control, storage, extraction, washing, drying, weighing, labelling, storage, packing, generation of shipment docs and dispatch for shipment) for timely delivery of required quality and quantity of hybrid seeds in line with the GSPP requirement.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Manage all the different aspects of the production phases post-harvest activities: fruit reception and storage, quality control, extraction, washing, drying, weighing, labelling, seed storage, packing, generation of shipment documents and timely and effectively communicate with Logistics Planner for dispatch of the shipment.
• Manage all computer programs and documentation used within the post-harvest and production phases.
• Implement and oversee a strategy that ensures genetic purity, full traceability, and preservation of all items throughout the extraction process.
• Ensure the integrity of seed storage, stock levels and the bio-lock on the seed store and track and trace seeds that enter/exit home farm and third party.
• Ensure all machines and equipment allocated in the department are fully operational and functioning and liaise with Engineering department to ensure timely and adequate maintenance service.
• Ensure documentation, communication and destruction of excess stock seeds, overproduction in close liaison with the Global Production Crop Strategist, field production manager and production leads.
• Ensure seed samples for each variety/number for each production cycle for ToBRFV and other disease samples to KEPHIS are well kept.
• Manage the SRA and SLA third party contracts.
• Ensure timely of the third-party shipments documents approvals as well as timely requisition of shipments details inclusive of the batch numbers.
• Ensure the safety for all parent lines stock material received for both P&S (tomato) and third Party (watermelons, squash and pepper) with timely deliveries and dispatch respectively.
• Adhere to all rules/protocols regarding HSE and GSPP and be a role model in championing HSE and Phyto sanitation.
• Undertake any other assignment/task/project which many be assigned to you by the management from time to time.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & CAPABILITIES:

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Msc in agriculture/horticulture/agronomy/crop protection/biology
• Minimum of 4 to 5 years relevant experience in similar or related field.
• Analytical skills – Affinity with numbers and keen to detail.
• Organizational and communication skills – Manage the department proactively, connect with internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of physiological aspects of tomato production and basic knowledge of pests and disease (symptom recognition).
• People management – Lead, manage, Coach and train the post-harvest team.

CRITICAL TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL CAPABILITIES:

• Understanding of basic agriculture, horticulture, agronomical knowledge.
• Understanding of basic seed technology.
• Ability to handle machines used in post-harvest department.
• Detailed administrative skills.
• Understanding of MS-office and especially MS-Excel, Smart-sheet and Power BI.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES:

• Collaborate – Connect with the team, internal and external stakeholders; listen to other ideas to improve activities within the department.
• Curiosity – Ask questions, have an open-mind and constantly ask “why”, reach out to different stakeholders and literature.
• Accountable – Own results – good or bad, apply mitigating actions (seek assistance) and driven to achieve production targets.
• Courageous - Create an environment where the employees can experiment, take calculated risks, make mistakes and learn from the mistakes without retaliation. Embrace the Continuous Improvement working spirit.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS & KEY CHALLENGES:

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Communication: understand employees and proactively manage a team.
• Data Integrity.

• Manage all the different aspects of the production phases post-harvest activities: fruit reception and storage, quality control, extraction, washing, drying, weighing, labelling, seed storage, packing, generation of shipment documents and timely and effectively communicate with Logistics Planner for dispatch of the shipment.
• Manage all computer programs and documentation used within the post-harvest and production phases.
• Implement and oversee a strategy that ensures genetic purity, full traceability, and preservation of all items throughout the extraction process.
• Ensure the integrity of seed storage, stock levels and the bio-lock on the seed store and track and trace seeds that enter/exit home farm and third party.
• Ensure all machines and equipment allocated in the department are fully operational and functioning and liaise with Engineering department to ensure timely and adequate maintenance service.
• Ensure documentation, communication and destruction of excess stock seeds, overproduction in close liaison with the Global Production Crop Strategist, field production manager and production leads.
• Ensure seed samples for each variety/number for each production cycle for ToBRFV and other disease samples to KEPHIS are well kept.
• Manage the SRA and SLA third party contracts.
• Ensure timely of the third-party shipments documents approvals as well as timely requisition of shipments details inclusive of the batch numbers.
• Ensure the safety for all parent lines stock material received for both P&S (tomato) and third Party (watermelons, squash and pepper) with timely deliveries and dispatch respectively.
• Adhere to all rules/protocols regarding HSE and GSPP and be a role model in championing HSE and Phyto sanitation.
• Undertake any other assignment/task/project which many be assigned to you by the management from time to time.

• Analytical skills – Affinity with numbers and keen to detail.
• Organizational and communication skills – Manage the department proactively, connect with internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of physiological aspects of tomato production and basic knowledge of pests and disease (symptom recognition).
• People management – Lead, manage, Coach and train the post-harvest team.
• Understanding of basic agriculture, horticulture, agronomical knowledge.
• Understanding of basic seed technology.
• Ability to handle machines used in post-harvest department.
• Detailed administrative skills.
• Understanding of MS-office and especially MS-Excel, Smart-sheet and Power BI.
• Collaborate – Connect with the team, internal and external stakeholders; listen to other ideas to improve activities within the department.
• Curiosity – Ask questions, have an open-mind and constantly ask “why”, reach out to different stakeholders and literature.
• Accountable – Own results – good or bad, apply mitigating actions (seek assistance) and driven to achieve production targets.
• Courageous - Create an environment where the employees can experiment, take calculated risks, make mistakes and learn from the mistakes without retaliation. Embrace the Continuous Improvement working spirit.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Communication: understand employees and proactively manage a team.
• Data Integrity.

• Msc in agriculture/horticulture/agronomy/crop protection/biology
• Minimum of 4 to 5 years relevant experience in similar or related field.