Position: General Manager – Tea Industry

Company Overview:

A reputable international organization operating in Rwanda is seeking a dynamic and charismatic industry professional to take up the role of General Manager, managing the day to day operations of a smallholder services company (tea sector) in Rwanda.

The services company will plant smallholder tea, as well as provide a series of agronomic services and inputs through long-term, patient finance, as well as production logistics once the tea comes into bearing.  The services company is part of a broader tea venture with a highly reputable multinational tea company that will provide exclusive offtake of the smallholder leaf.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day management of all operational, finance, and administrative matters.
• Oversee implementation of all field activities, including: farmer sensitization and awareness; farmer registration; land preparation; nursery development; nursery management; new planting; procurement and application of inputs; agronomic extension; plucking; collection; weighing and transport of green leaf; block management, etc.
• Be accountable for the timely delivery of high quality green leaf to factory and oversee maintenance of transport fleet.
• Support implementation of certification programmes e.g.: Rainforest Alliance and ensure compliance.
• Engage with large groups of farmers and participate in farmers monthly and quarterly review meetings.
• Identify, develop and build an effective field team and manage the team according to a common vision for the smallholder development with clear performance KPIs. Train and develop all agronomists on tea plucking and agronomy and oversee the entire field staffing.
• Engage with key stakeholders on the project including local government, farmers and the factory company, among others.
• Contribute in the establishment of company policies and procedures, and ensure statutory compliance and fiduciary control within all company matters.
• Participate in the development of annual work plans and budgets, and manage against these to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results. Deliver the business targets aligned to KPIs-volume, cost and quality.
• Identify and engage with appropriate delivery partners to ensure that implementation of tea-specific activities is undertaken in an appropriate and well-coordinated manner.

Key qualifications:

• Undergraduate Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agribusiness, or an equivalent Agricultural Science related field.
• At least 10 years professional experience in managing the field services component of a large-scale commercial tea operation.  Smallholder experience shall be an added advantage.
• Strong practical understanding of new planting, tea agronomy, and production logistics.
• Ability to work in rural settings and communicate effectively across cultural divides.
• Ability to develop, retains, and manages an effective team.
• Experience with preparation and development of commercial tea budgets, work plans, and forward plans, and ability to manage for results based upon key performance indicators.
• Familiarity with Farmer Field Schools, Rainforest Alliance, hillside agriculture, and soil conservation practices.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda preferred.
• Sound understanding of corporate governance principles.

This position is open for Rwandan nationals only and applicants are required to submit their CV with contact information for at least two references as well as a covering letter demonstrating how they meet the required qualifications to [email protected] with the subject line “General Manager Position”.

The deadline for receiving applications is Friday 3^rd July 2020. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

Closing Date : 3rd July, 2020.