Background

Viazi Kings is a private company specializing in the buying, selling and distributing of agricultural products. Our core business focuses on certified seed potato, fertilizers, agrochemicals and ware potatoes. We are committed to supporting the agricultural sector by providing high-quality products and reliable services to farmers, distributors and partners in the country.

As we continue to grow our market presence, we are seeking an experienced ware potato Sourcing lead to join our team.

Job Summary

We are looking for proactive and results-oriented sourcing lead who will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing end-to-end potato sourcing activities to ensure a consistent, high-quality and cost-effective supply aligned with business demand requirements.

Key responsibilities

Planning of Sourcing & Execution

• Develop and implement a comprehensive potato sourcing strategy aligned with long-term , annual and monthly demand targets
• Lead the development and continuous management of a month-to-month sourcing plan, ensuring alignment between demand requirements and seasonal supply availability.
• Identify and map suitable production regions based on yield potential, seasonality, climate conditions, and farmer capability
• Continuously update sourcing plans based on field intelligence, crop performance data, weather patterns, and market dynamics.
• Develop and maintain contingency sourcing strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply.

Farmer Engagement & Contract Farming Management

• Lead farmer recruitment, on-boarding, and integration into contract farming programs.
• Collaborate with Field Officers and partners to:
  • Deliver farmer training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
  • Improve yield quality and productivity
  • Strengthen contract farming execution and adherence to company standards
• Build and maintain strong farmer relationships to ensure reliability, trust and consistent supply delivery.
• Manage contract compliance, resolve disputes and address farmer performance issues.

Field Operations Coordination

• Work closely with Field Officers to monitor crop development from planting to harvest.
• Oversee field-level assessments, crop monitoring, and yield forecasting activities.
• Track and manage operational risks including pest outbreaks, weather disruptions, and logistical constrain

Pricing, Negotiation & Commercial Management

• Negotiate pricing, volumes and supply agreements with farmers, aggregators, and suppliers.
• Analyze cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

Quality Assurance

• Oversee potato grading, sorting, and quality inspection processes at farm and aggregation points to ensure strict adherence to internal quality standards.
• Implement corrective actions for non-compliant produce and underperforming suppliers.

Volume Tracking, Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor sourcing performance against monthly and seasonal targets.
• Provide regular reports and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Proactively escalate risks and propose mitigation strategies for supply gaps or surpluses

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Supply Chain Management, or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in agricultural sourcing, contract farming or fresh produce supply chains, preferably in potato or similar crop environments.
• Proven experience managing farmer networks and field-based operations.
• Strong experience in demand planning, forecasting, and supply chain coordination

Key Competencies

• Strong understanding of field operations and agricultural production systems
• Farmer and stakeholder relationship management
• Risk identification, mitigation, and problem-solving
• Strategic planning, forecasting, analytical and reporting capability
• Ability to work well across teams.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive potato sourcing strategy aligned with long-term , annual and monthly demand targets
• Lead the development and continuous management of a month-to-month sourcing plan, ensuring alignment between demand requirements and seasonal supply availability.
• Identify and map suitable production regions based on yield potential, seasonality, climate conditions, and farmer capability
• Continuously update sourcing plans based on field intelligence, crop performance data, weather patterns, and market dynamics.
• Develop and maintain contingency sourcing strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply.
• Lead farmer recruitment, on-boarding, and integration into contract farming programs.
• Collaborate with Field Officers and partners to: Deliver farmer training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Improve yield quality and productivity, Strengthen contract farming execution and adherence to company standards
• Build and maintain strong farmer relationships to ensure reliability, trust and consistent supply delivery.
• Manage contract compliance, resolve disputes and address farmer performance issues.
• Work closely with Field Officers to monitor crop development from planting to harvest.
• Oversee field-level assessments, crop monitoring, and yield forecasting activities.
• Track and manage operational risks including pest outbreaks, weather disruptions, and logistical constrain
• Negotiate pricing, volumes and supply agreements with farmers, aggregators, and suppliers.
• Analyze cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Oversee potato grading, sorting, and quality inspection processes at farm and aggregation points to ensure strict adherence to internal quality standards.
• Implement corrective actions for non-compliant produce and underperforming suppliers.
• Monitor sourcing performance against monthly and seasonal targets.
• Provide regular reports and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Proactively escalate risks and propose mitigation strategies for supply gaps or surpluses

• Strong understanding of field operations and agricultural production systems
• Farmer and stakeholder relationship management
• Risk identification, mitigation, and problem-solving
• Strategic planning, forecasting, analytical and reporting capability
• Ability to work well across teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Supply Chain Management, or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in agricultural sourcing, contract farming or fresh produce supply chains, preferably in potato or similar crop environments.
• Proven experience managing farmer networks and field-based operations.
• Strong experience in demand planning, forecasting, and supply chain coordination