Lead Agronomist

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Housing allowance

Executive bonuses

Health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a distinguished Lead Agronomist to spearhead R&D initiatives in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will guide a team of scientists and technicians in crop optimization, soil health, and sustainable agriculture.

Lead large-scale projects, analyze agronomic data, and collaborate with universities to advance farming operations. Requires a Master’s or Ph.D. and 10+ years in agronomy, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Agronomy or related field.
• 10+ years of agronomic research, field trials, and production management.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing complex projects.
• Soil science, plant pathology, entomology, and statistics expertise.
• Proficiency with agricultural software and modeling tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of agronomists and agricultural technicians.
• Design and oversee large-scale research projects for yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance.
• Develop and implement soil, irrigation, and fertilization protocols.
• Analyze agronomic data to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with national and international standards for sustainable agriculture.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and collaborate with academic institutions.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentoring

Communication

Data analysis

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Agronomy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a distinguished Lead Agronomist to spearhead their agricultural research and development initiatives in Cape Town, Western Cape . This senior position involves guiding a team of scientists and technicians in exploring novel approaches to sustainable agriculture, crop optimization, and soil health. You will play a critical role in shaping the future of our client's farming operations, driving efficiency, and ensuring the highest standards of agricultural output. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of regional agricultural challenges and opportunities, contributing expertise to a company dedicated to agricultural excellence in the Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of agronomists and agricultural technicians in all aspects of crop science and farm management.
• Design and oversee large-scale agricultural research projects focused on yield enhancement, disease resistance, and drought tolerance.
• Develop and implement best-practice protocols for soil management, irrigation, and fertilization across diverse farm operations.
• Analyze complex agronomic data to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure compliance with national and international standards for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and collaborate with academic institutions on joint research ventures.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related agricultural discipline.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in agronomic research, field trials, and agricultural production management.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and complex projects.
• Expertise in soil science , plant pathology, entomology, and statistical analysis for agricultural data.
• Proficiency with advanced agricultural software and modeling tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with executive bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Relocation assistance and a generous housing allowance.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and international exposure.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment focused on cutting-edge agricultural solutions.