Crop Protection Manager at AAA Growers

Job Description

AA Growers is one of the leading exporters of premium & prepared vegetables from Kenya and the largest commercial grower and exporter of chillies from Kenya. We aim to provide quality products which redefine what innovative, healthy and delicious vegetables should be.

Job objective

As the The Crop Protection Manager your role in Vegetable crop production across AAA’s largest Farm site – Simba, a contact agent between workers and the production management. An enforcer, a follow-up agent to ensure programs are run accordingly, a standard operating procedure (SOP) executer. To coordinate all sprays, IPM and fields trials operations in the farm.

Your tasks and responsibilities

 Plan weekly spray programs for all crops in consultation with the Farm manager.  Maintain high standards of spraying by ensuring proper spray coverage, use of correct spray volumes and zero loss or spillage of chemicals.  Ensure transportation and disposal of chemical products residuals within the farm are well handled.  Develop and implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to protect various crops.  Monitor crops for identification of major pest and disease challenges at the farm.  Ensure the spray equipment is in a serviceable state at all times so that they are well maintained in order to have a smooth spray operation.  Participate, coordinate and manage all activities that fall in the domain of the spray department.  Prepare and submit monthly reports to the Farm Manager.  Continuous supervision and training of the crop protection team for optimum results and safety of the spray team.  Monitor, in collaboration with the greenhouse management team the spray areas in the greenhouses if infestation is controlled.  Report without delay to the Farm manager when he/she encounters a problem in relation to spraying activities.  Prepare annual chemical and PPE requirements of the department at the start of new budget year.

Your profile

 Degree in Horticulture/ Agriculture or a related field.  Over 5 years of direct hands-on experience in a busy Farm Site/Plant environment and fully conversant with factory operations in the food processing industry.  Proven track record in crop protection or pest management within horticulture farms, preferably in Veg section.  Self-motivated, strategic thinker with excellent crisis management skills and able to bring solutions to the table.  Familiarity with pesticide regulations, safety protocols and environmental stewardship principles.  Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and diverse agricultural environment.  Strong administration, site management and people management skills with proven delivery on targets within a strict timeframe.  Report writing skills.