Remote Agribusiness Development Manager

Placements24; East London; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Career development

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Agribusiness Development Manager for a fully remote role, supporting smallholders and sustainable value chains across emerging markets, including regions near East London.

You will identify opportunities, develop proposals, manage multi-stakeholder projects, and secure donor funding while collaborating with a global team to improve farmer livelihoods and food security.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in agribusiness development, project management or business strategy.
• Proven track record in identifying opportunities and partnerships.
• Strong understanding of value chains, market systems and rural finance.
• Excellent financial analysis, planning and proposal writing skills.
• Experience managing complex multi-stakeholder projects.
• Fluent English; other regional languages are a plus.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess new market opportunities within the agribusiness sector.
• Develop business plans, feasibility studies, and strategic proposals.
• Lead negotiations and establish partnerships with stakeholders.
• Manage full lifecycle of agribusiness projects from inception to evaluation.
• Analyze market trends, value chain dynamics and policy environments.
• Develop capacity-building programs for smallholders and entrepreneurs.
• Secure funding through donor engagement and proposals.
• Monitor performance, deliverables, and resource use.
• Prepare progress reports and impact assessments.

Skills

Agribusiness development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Market analysis

Education

Master's degree in Agribusiness Management

Experience in developing countries

Tools

MS Office

Financial modeling

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an international agricultural development organization focused on driving innovation and market access in emerging economies, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Agribusiness Development Manager for a fully remote position. This role is critical in identifying, evaluating, and fostering new business opportunities within the agricultural sector, with a particular emphasis on supporting smallholder farmers and creating sustainable value chains. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of agribusiness principles, market dynamics, project management, and a proven track record in business development within agriculture. You will work independently, collaborating with a global team of experts and local partners to design and implement initiatives that enhance farmer livelihoods and contribute to food security. This fully remote role offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to shape impactful agricultural projects from your home base. Our client is dedicated to fostering economic growth and resilience in rural communities, making this a deeply rewarding career path, potentially benefiting regions near East London through focused development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and assess new market opportunities and potential business ventures within the agribusiness sector.
• Develop comprehensive business plans, feasibility studies, and strategic proposals for new initiatives.
• Lead the negotiation and establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders, including farmers' groups, private sector companies, and government agencies.
• Manage the full lifecycle of agribusiness projects, from inception and planning through implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Analyze market trends, value chain dynamics, and policy environments to inform strategic decision-making.
• Develop and implement capacity-building programs for smallholder farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs.
• Secure funding and resources for agribusiness development projects through proposal writing and donor engagement.
• Monitor project performance against objectives, ensuring timely delivery, quality outputs, and effective resource utilization.
• Prepare regular progress reports, financial statements, and impact assessments for management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in agribusiness development, project management, or business strategy, preferably in developing countries or emerging markets.
• Proven track record in identifying and developing new business opportunities and partnerships.
• Strong understanding of agricultural value chains, market systems development, and rural finance.
• Excellent financial analysis, business planning, and proposal writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a diverse and remote team environment.
• Proficiency in project management software and standard business applications.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other languages relevant to target regions is an advantage.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with extensive experience and qualifications.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant flexibility and autonomy.
• Opportunity to lead impactful projects that transform agricultural economies and improve livelihoods.
• Work with a dynamic, international team of passionate professionals.
• Professional development opportunities and support for continuous learning.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• The satisfaction of contributing to sustainable development and food security.
• The ability to shape your work environment and schedule.