Require a Field Agronomist in Nairobi, Kenya

Produce Sourcing & Supply Chain Management

• Farm Scouting & Vendor Acquisition: Regularly visit farms and agricultural regions to identify, evaluate, and onboard reputable farmers and commercial growers of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  
• Procurement & Price Negotiation: Negotiate farm-gate pricing, supply volumes, and harvest schedules to meet market demand while maintaining cost efficiency.
  
• Quality & Yield Planning: Build seasonal supply projections for key produce lines and establish out-grower networks to secure consistent, year-round inventory.
  

Agronomy & Technical Support

• Field Audits & GAP Compliance: Conduct pre-harvest inspections to ensure farm management practices align with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), minimum residue limits (MRLs), and client quality standards.
  
• Crop Advisory: Provide technical agronomic advice to partner farmers regarding soil nutrition, pest and disease management, irrigation schedules, and optimal harvesting windows.
  
• Post-Harvest Loss Prevention: Train farmers and field harvesters on proper harvesting techniques, handling, sorting, and field-level cooling/packaging to protect shelf life.
  

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Inspect harvested fruits and vegetables at the field level prior to dispatch to ensure strict adherence to weight, color, size, and defect specifications.
  
• Implement traceability protocols to track produce back to specific farm locations and harvest batches.
  
• Monitor pest and chemical residue risks, ensuring all sourced produce meets regulatory and food safety requirements.
  

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture, or a closely related field.
  
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of practical experience in field agronomy, fresh produce sourcing, or commercial horticulture management.
  
• Sourcing Expertise: Demonstrated track record of farm-level procurement, negotiating with farmers/out growers, and managing supply chains for perishable fruits and vegetables.
  
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of fruit and vegetable pest/disease profiles, harvest maturity indices, soil chemistry, and post-harvest handling.
  
• Mobility: Valid driving/riding license, alongside a willingness to travel extensively to rural farms, agricultural zones, and packhouses.