Regional Agronomy Manager - Prospecton Plant Snacks - DurbanFull job descriptionOverview:We are PepsiCoPepsiCo is proud to be one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. Every day, we are dedicated to bringing our mission to create more smiles with every sip and every bite to life. Our products are enjoyed more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Our portfolio — including Lay’s, Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi and Quaker — consists of many iconic brands that generate more than US $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales, helping to deliver more than US $70 billion in net revenue in 2020.Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive. Through PepsiCo Positive, we are charting a new course to drive positive action for the planet and people. PepsiCo Positive is an end-to-end strategic business transformation with sustainability at the centre of how we will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change.In South Africa (SA), you will find our products across the region at breakfast, lunch or dinner. At the gym or on the field. In the office or on the go. We refresh, restore and rejuvenate our consumers all day, every day with our key brands including Simba, Lay's, Liqui Fruit and Bokomo range of cereals. PepsiCo SA employs more than 13, 000 people across our three business divisions: Bakeries, Grains, Foods, Fruit, Snacks, Juice & BeveragesResponsibilities:What we’re looking for:We're looking for a Regional Agronomy Manager to join our team in Prospecton. The successful incumbent will be responsible for the management of the commercial potato supply in relation to negotiations, contracting, supply co-ordination and potato supply chain management for KZN(including commercial potato transport and storage) within the required AOP framework. This entails potato supply and demand balance management, regular monitoring of crop cycles, identification of supply risks, management of the regional agronomist team and driving solutions to cover supply risks. In addition, KZN is to aim to become a self-sufficient hub where seed from G0 to commercial is to be managed within this role, determined by commercial demand over PSP.To provide Agronomic leadership and technical growing support to Simba potato growers. Roll out revised agricultural best practices to new and existing growers to support IPS product design. Responsible for production information capturing (SmartAgro), volume forecasting and the successful integration of new PepsiCo proprietary varieties within the BU’s agronomy productivity agenda.Manage the commercial potato supply programme in accordance with the production needs of the Prospecton fatory.Manage the seed pipeline in KZN, in accordance with Prospecton PSP, under the guidance of the Technical Services ManagerManage negotiations and contracting of commercial and seed potato supplier agreements; including transport.Manage the KZN commercial potato supply to ensure the following:The efficient flow of timeous crop information.The timeous execution of delivery contracts (coordination of planting & harvesting).The accurate and timeous capturing of supporting crop data through the SmartAgro systemManage KZN seed potato supply, in conjunction with the Technical Services Manager, to ensure the following:Seed planning from G0 – G4, based on the PSP volume requirements of the Prospecton factory.The timeous execution of delivery contracts (coordination of planting & harvesting).Accurate pipeline management to minimalise seed requirements from external regionsThe accurate and timeous capturing of supporting crop data through the SmartAgro systemMaintain accurate weekly, monthly and annual potato supply plans for the KZN factoryReview supply balances, evaluate risks (eg. processing plant stock levels, demand, weather, crop availability, quality loss, etc.) and cause of change on a regular basis (daily/weekly/monthly).Work with planning team to understand demand and capacity developments for short and medium term supply (eg. outsourcing projects, promotional activity, capacity changes, etc.) and provide input from potato supply.Manage any mandates for spot purchasing / out-of-contract procurement of potatoes for contingency purposes.Support the Agro BU Lead with productivity target execution, supplier development, price and volume negotiations, and supplier performance reviews through KPI reporting, feedback and meetings.Responsible for educating growers on latest agronomic practices that drive best in class potato quality (lower defects, higher solids), increased yields, reduce foreign objects, inspects and recommend farmer washing/grading operations and equipment.Develop, implement and maintain good handling practices for potatoes to ensure high quality potatoes from storage to the factory.Provide Simba growers with best in class, specialist agronomic support to deliver improved potato quality, monitor crop performance (SmartAgro) and implement sustainable improvements across all Simba growers and growing regions.Provide regional Agro management with monthly commercial crop volume estimates compared to contracted volumes, forecast crop losses where it occur, and/or identify potential supply risks in order to effectively plan for “short/over-supply” for commercial contract periods.Interact with plant schedulers regularly, potato laboratory when needed, FLM’s and Operations Managers where needed to facilitate effective management of the potato supply chain from farm to production.Facilitate the successful integration of new potato varieties into SA Program (identify suitable fields and areas for field trials, monitor fields and crop progress regularly, monitor crop quality, arrange plant trials and jointly collate and analyze conversion and consumer performance).Assist Commercial Potato Supply Manager in selecting regional strategic planting areas and farmers that will minimize risk and maximize productivity.Facilitate and execute research projects (new plant materials, fertilizers and chemical, planting and irrigation practices), which will contribute positively to sustainability and productivity programs.Drive the implementation and upkeep of the emerging farmer programStay updated with latest/best available technology in the agricultural industry in order to be able to assist farmers in making informed decisions. Qualifications:What will qualify you for the roleSpecialist Agronomical Knowledge of Potato Crop, with emphasis on quantity and quality forecasting (Preferably B.Sc. (Agric) degree or Diploma in agriculture).Knowledge and experience of agricultural industry (5 + years).Good technical and planning skills.High level of computer literacy.Experience in the processing sector would be an advantage.Experience in Agronomy related food safety programs.Experience in Logistics would be beneficial.“PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer in line with the Employment Equity Act"
