Head of Agriculture

Head of Agriculture

Location:
Transmara, Narok County, Kenya

Company:
Angata Sugar Mills Ltd. (ASML)

Employment Type:
Full-Time

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About Us

Angata Sugar Mills Ltd. (ASML) is a pioneering force in Kenya's sugar industry, dedicated to transforming the way sugar is produced and distributed. As a greenfield initiative, ASML prioritizes cutting-edge technology and best practices to ensure efficient and sustainable sugar production from sugarcane. Our mission is to empower local farmers, boost the regional economy, and deliver high-quality sugar while upholding our core values of integrity, ingenuity, and service.

About the Job

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced
Head of Agriculture
to lead all agricultural operations across ASML's nucleus estate and outgrower schemes. Reporting directly to the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
, the Head of Agriculture is a core leadership role responsible for driving sustainable sugarcane cultivation that aligns with the company's production goals and farmer empowerment mission.

This role will oversee the
Cane Development
,
Outgrower Cane
,
Nucleus Cane
,
Cane Census
,
Harvesting
,
Cane Transport
, and
Workshop Departments
, ensuring strategic coordination, productivity, and compliance throughout ASML's agricultural ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Outgrower Network Expansion:
  Lead recruitment, contracting, and training of outgrowers. Ensure timely delivery of seed cane and field support services that drive productivity and loyalty among contracted farmers.
• Nucleus Farm Management:
  Oversee land preparation, planting, irrigation, crop rotation, fertilization, and pest management across ASML's nucleus cane estate to maximize yields and set quality benchmarks.
• Cane Census Leadership:
  Conduct timely and accurate census operations to gather data on cane age, acreage, maturity, and forecast yields for informed harvesting and factory planning.
• Harvesting & Transport Oversight:
  Coordinate harvesting schedules and transport logistics to ensure minimal field-to-mill delays, reduce cane deterioration, and support uninterrupted mill operations.
• Agronomic Planning & Execution:
  Develop and implement best-in-class agronomic practices for soil management, varietal selection, weed and pest control, and nutrient optimization.
• Performance Monitoring:
  Build systems for field-level inspections and digital monitoring to track crop health, farmer compliance, and yield projections.
• Interdepartmental Coordination:
  Collaborate with the Cane Transport, Workshop, and Sustainability teams to optimize machinery usage, ensure environmental compliance, and support ASML's social impact initiatives.
• Risk Management:
  Identify and mitigate agronomic, environmental, and operational risks—such as climate variability, pest outbreaks, and non-compliance with farming guidelines.
• Flexibility for Additional Projects:
  Participate in cross-functional projects or assignments as needed to support ASML's evolving strategic and operational priorities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience managing large-scale agricultural programs, preferably in sugarcane.
• Proven success managing outgrower networks and nucleus farms.
• In-depth knowledge of agro-climatic conditions relevant to sugarcane cultivation in East Africa.
• Strong capabilities in cane census execution, harvest planning, and logistical coordination.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and data analysis skills.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Agriculture or Agricultural Economics.
• Experience working with rural communities and building inclusive farmer engagement programs.
• Familiarity with ERP systems like
  Synergy Bravo
  and field-data collection technologies.

Join ASML and play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of sugar production and rural development in Kenya.
Let's grow together.