Manager in Training (MIT) - Speedling Production

Introduction: We are looking for a young, dynamic and result-oriented person to fill the position of Manager in Training (MIT) in the Company’s Speedling Production Section. The successful candidate will be developed through a special in-house training programme that has been specifically developed to equip trainees on Speedling Propagation: propagation techniques – single bud and micropropagation; Plant Nutrition: knowledge of the nutritional requirements and fertilization of sugarcane in nursery environment; Agricultural Biotechnology: application of biotechnology in speedling production, including tissue culture; Nursery Planning and Management: production planning – speedling production linked to planting demand across the season. The successful incumbent must align with the company values and people first, safety non-negotiable principles whilst demonstrating a continuous improvement mindset and a very strong bias to the detail of their work.

Programme Background:

The MIT Development Programme is a structured development tool that guides MIT’s learning pathway as they journey from graduate to manager. This programme is intended to:

• Introducing MIT’s to the Sugar Industry and KSCL
• Provide MIT’s with all the technical, leadership and business exposure required to be a manager in their field of expertise in KSCL once they exit the programme. The programme has a ‘technical’ section that builds the competencies required in KSCL in the MIT’s field of expertise e.g. Engineering, Agriculture, Commercial.
• Prepare participants for appointment to a permanent position, if the position is available, on successful completion of the programme.
• Exit the candidate as a competent leader with a solid practical grounding, able to make a significant contribution to achieving company objectives and taking the company successfully into the future.

Programme Objectives:

• Quality Control: KPI’s to assess and manage the speedling quality and health
• Sustainability: sustainable cultivation practices and environmental management
• People management: leadership, motivation, and team management skills
• Logistics and transportation: management of logistics for speedling transportation and distribution
• Agricultural projects: planning and execution of nursery improvement and expansion projects
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• Occupational safety: occupational health and safety standards in agricultural environments
• Qualification and training: skills to train and qualify the work team
• Communication: effective communication skills for interacting with suppliers, customers, and teams
• Data analysis: ability to collect and analyse production data to make informed decisions
• Innovation and research: ability to follow and implement new technologies and production methods

Relevant agriculture knowledge:

• Sugarcane Botany: detailed knowledge of sugarcane physiology, genetics, and varieties
• Pest and Disease Control: identification and control of common sugarcane pests and diseases
• Soil and Irrigation: soil management practices and efficient irrigation systems
• Agricultural legislation: knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to speedling production and the use of pesticides
• Agricultural economics: principles of economics applied to agricultural production and cost management.
• Agricultural technology: use of technologies such as drones, sensors and geographic information systems (GIS)

Minimum Requirements:

• BSc in Agronomy, General Agriculture, Agricultural Economics Degree or equivalent from a recognized institution
• Sugarcane physiology, focused on bud sprouting, rooting and nutritional demand in a nursery environment
• Sugarcane vegetative propagation – Single eyed set propagation and tissue culture (laboratory experience is a differential)
• Prior experience in a laboratory environment is a differential
• Water (irrigation) and fertigation management (fertigation experience is a differential)
• Knowledge on composting of Sugarcane industry disposals is a differential
• Microsoft package user (Excel, Projects).
• Knowledge on agronomic experimentation statistics is an important differential

Terms of Service:

The successful candidate will be engaged on a fixed term contract as per the duration of the programme. All interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, please click here to apply for the position on or before 30th December 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Kilombero Sugar Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.