Field Agronomist & Produce Sourcing Specialist at Phina Consultants LTD

Field Agronomist & Produce Sourcing Specialist at Phina Consultants LTD | Iko Kazi

Reports To: Operations / Supply Chain Manager

About the Company

Our client is a leading distributor and supplier of premium-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. They bridge the gap between smallholder/commercial growers and high-demand markets, ensuring farm-fresh produce reaches clients with maximum quality, traceability, and minimal post-harvest loss.

Role Summary

The company is seeking a results-driven, hands-on Field Agronomist & Produce Sourcing Specialist. In this dual-capacity role, you will represent the company on the ground by identifying and auditing farm sources, establishing strong grower relationships, evaluating crop quality, and providing technical agronomic support to farmers to guarantee a steady supply of high-grade produce.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Key Qualifications & 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.

Key Competencies

Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills for building trust with local farming communities.
High level of integrity and ability to work independently in remote field settings.
Strong problem-solving ability under tight deadlines and perishable timelines.

Stand out to recruiters