Senior Agronomist: Yield Risk & Field Insights Leader

Santam Limited; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive-level salary

Medical aid and life insurance

Performance-based bonuses

Vehicle allowance for fieldwork

Generous leave policy

Job summary

Santam Limited is seeking a Senior Agronomist to strengthen our Agricultural Risk Management team in Upington, SA. You will evaluate crop health, soil fertility, and irrigation efficiency to inform underwriting decisions and risk mitigation strategies.

The role requires 8–10 years of experience, a Master’s degree in Agronomy or Plant Science, and a strong background in data analysis, GIS, and field research. A hybrid work model combines office planning with extensive fieldwork.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, or related field is mandatory.
• PhD in a specialized agricultural discipline is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive field inspections to assess crop health, soil quality, and irrigation infrastructure in the Upington region.
• Develop and implement advanced agronomic models to predict yields and assess losses.
• Collaborate with underwriting to provide technical insights for pricing agricultural insurance products.
• Analyze satellite imagery and remote sensing data to monitor large-scale developments and moisture levels.
• Lead research on drought-resistant varieties and sustainable water management.
• Prepare detailed technical reports for senior management on trends and risk profiles.
• Provide expert advisory services on soil nutrition and pest management.

Skills

Plant physiology

Soil science

Crop management

GIS

Remote sensing

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Education

Master’s degree in Agronomy/Plant Science

PhD preferred

Tools

GIS

Remote sensing

Job description

Santam Limited is seeking a Senior Agronomist to strengthen our Agricultural Risk Management team in Upington, SA. You will evaluate crop health, soil fertility, and irrigation efficiency to inform underwriting decisions and risk mitigation strategies.

The role requires 8–10 years of experience, a Master’s degree in Agronomy or Plant Science, and a strong background in data analysis, GIS, and field research. A hybrid work model combines office planning with extensive fieldwork.