LEAF PRODUCTION OFFICER 64 views

VACANCY

A local tobacco merchant engaged in contract farming with farmers in Mash West and Manicaland Provinces and with plans to explore new regions to broaden its farmer base to support export sales, is seeking to hire a Leaf Production Officer who fits the qualities and qualifications listed below:

Job Purpose

The Leaf Production Officer will be responsible for managing the end-to-end implementation of the tobacco contract farming scheme, working closely with small-scale and selected commercial farmers. This role is crucial in ensuring the recovery of loans extended to farmers (inputs and cash), optimizing leaf volumes, and improving quality and yield through effective agronomic support.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Farming Management:

  • Recruit and register small-scale and commercial farmers into the tobacco contract scheme.

  • Oversee distribution of inputs and monitor their utilization to ensure compliance.

  • Monitor crop performance throughout the season across all contracted farms.

• Loan Recovery & Risk Management:

  • Implement robust systems for loan tracking, usage verification, and recovery.

  • Maintain up-to-date records on disbursed inputs, farmer balances, and recoveries.

  • Engage farmers to ensure commitment to tobacco delivery obligations.

• Agronomy & Farmer Support:

  • Provide agronomic extension services to farmers focusing on yield improvement and quality.

  • Organize and lead farmer training programs on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), pest and disease control, curing, and grading.

  • Ensure compliance with sustainability, traceability, and environmental requirements.

• Production Planning & Reporting:

  • Project expected tobacco volumes and quality grades by region/farmer group.

  • Prepare regular field reports including crop status, weather risks, and farmer performance.

  • Work closely with the buying team to align production with buying targets.

• Farmer Relationship & Stakeholder Coordination:

  • Serve as the key liaison between the company and contracted farmers.

  • Resolve disputes and manage farmer expectations proactively.

  • Coordinate with local authorities and stakeholders in agriculture for alignment.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Diploma or Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or related field.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in tobacco farming or contract farming management.

• Strong knowledge of tobacco production cycles, agronomic practices, and input management.

• Proven experience in loan recovery and managing farmer performance.

• Valid Class 3 or 4 driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.

Competencies & Skills

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.

• Goal-oriented with a focus on performance metrics (loan recovery, volume, quality).

• Analytical and good record-keeping abilities.

• Leadership and ability to work with rural farming communities.

• Understanding of sustainability standards (e.g., GAP, traceability, etc.) is an added advantage.