Position Purpose
The Director of Agriculture will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the agricultural division, ensuring the efficient, productive and sustainable development of the company’s agricultural operations.

The role will be responsible for translating the company’s strategic objectives into practical agricultural plans, production programmes, budgets, resource requirements and performance targets, while leading the agricultural team to deliver agreed results.

The Director will oversee the full agricultural value chain, including sugarcane production, agronomy, irrigation, mechanisation, harvesting, machinery and workshop operations, budgeting, resource management, staff development, agricultural projects and diversification initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

1.  Agricultural Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement the agricultural master plan and long-term development roadmap.
• Establish annual production plans, agricultural calendars, targets and operational priorities.
• Align agricultural activities with the company’s commercial, financial and strategic objectives.
• Continuously assess operations and identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

2.  Sugarcane Production & Agronomy

• Provide overall technical and operational direction for sugarcane production from land preparation through planting, crop establishment, ratooning, maintenance and harvesting.
• Develop and oversee agronomy programmes covering fertilisation, weed, pest and disease management, soil health and crop nutrition.
• Apply knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and biology to improve crop performance and resource efficiency.
• Use weather and climate data to support decisions relating to planting, spraying, irrigation, harvesting and other field operations.
• Monitor crop development, estimate yields and implement corrective actions where required.

3.  Irrigation & Water Management

• Provide strategic oversight of irrigation operations and infrastructure.
• Develop irrigation and water-management plans to optimise water availability and crop performance.
• Monitor irrigation efficiency, system performance, water utilisation and maintenance requirements.
• Lead future irrigation improvement and development projects where required.

4.  Mechanisation, Machinery & Workshop

• Develop and implement the agricultural mechanisation strategy.
• Plan machinery requirements and optimise fleet utilisation, productivity, availability and operating costs.
• Oversee mechanised land preparation, planting, crop maintenance and harvesting operations.
• Provide strategic oversight of the agricultural workshop, ensuring effective maintenance, repairs, spare-parts planning and equipment availability.
• Evaluate new machinery, technologies and mechanisation opportunities based on productivity and economic returns.

Significant practical experience in large-scale agricultural mechanisation, particularly sugarcane, will be a strong advantage.

5.  Harvesting Operations

• Develop and oversee the annual and seasonal harvesting programme.
• Coordinate harvesting machinery, labour, transport and other resources.
• Monitor harvested area, cane tonnage, harvesting efficiency, field losses and operational costs.
• Coordinate agricultural harvesting requirements with relevant factory and logistics teams.

6.  Budget, CAPEX & Cost Management

• Prepare and manage annual agricultural OPEX and CAPEX budgets.
• Develop budgets based on production areas, crop requirements, labour, machinery, irrigation, inputs and projects.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure effective utilisation of financial resources.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining production and quality standards.
• Monitor cost per hectare, cost per tonne and other relevant agricultural performance indicators.
• Lead the planning and implementation of major agricultural capital projects.

7.  Resource, Procurement & Inventory Management

• Plan requirements for fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, seed cane, fuel, labour, machinery, spare parts and other agricultural resources.
• Ensure resources are available at the right time and in the required quantities to avoid disruption to field operations.
• Oversee agricultural inventory and stock-control systems, including usage monitoring, reconciliation and replenishment planning.
• Work closely with procurement, finance and other departments to ensure efficient resource management.

8.  Team Leadership & Organisational Development

• Lead, motivate and develop the agricultural management and field teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities, work programmes, targets and performance expectations.
• Lead recruitment and interviews for key agricultural positions as required.
• Manage performance and support the development of local technical and management capacity.
• Train, mentor and provide technical support to junior agricultural staff.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, discipline and a strong safety culture.

9.  Research, Trials & Continuous Improvement

• Lead agricultural trials and research programmes covering varieties, fertilisation, crop protection, soil health, irrigation and other agronomic practices.
• Analyse trial results and translate findings into practical improvements.
• Engage with research institutions, suppliers and technical specialists where appropriate.
• Promote the adoption of data-driven and sustainable agricultural practices.

10.  Reporting, Data & Performance Management

• Establish effective agricultural reporting and record-keeping systems.
• Monitor production, crop condition, yields, inputs, labour, machinery, irrigation, inventory and costs.
• Analyse operational data and provide management with clear recommendations and corrective actions.

How to apply
Interested candidates should send their applications to; eve.nasassira@horyalinvestments.com
Deadline; October 30th, 2026.