Farm Manager Egypt

Bakker Brothers is an internationally operating company specialized in the breeding, cultivation, and trade of vegetable seeds, with a focus on Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. We are particularly known for our beans, but we have also built a strong reputation with our breeding programs for onion, tomato, carrot, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, watermelon, and zucchini. Our headquarter is located in Noord-Scharwoude (The Netherlands), with a breeding station in Heerhugowaard and breeding/trial stations in Jordan, Egypt, Tanzania, and the United States.

For our station located in Egypt we are looking for a

Farm Manager

What will you do?
The R&D Farm Manager Egypt takes full responsibilities for the station facilities and the day-to-day management and execution of the operational activities of the Egypt farm as well as external trialling in Egypt with the latter in close collaboration and alignment with relevant stakeholders and growers. You take responsibility for the optimum cultivation of the crops as well as the aimed trial purpose and results as data collection etc. Hereto, you will lead and supervise the permanent and seasonal labors, who take care of work within the greenhouses and or the trial fields while you are contributing to the work yourself also as cooperating foremen. You are able to further develop the team and operational farm activities contributing to a continuous improvement and output of the farm.

You work closely together with the Head of Bakker Brothers Egypt, R&D Manager and local team within a matrix structure. Further, you maintain perfect working relationships with your colleagues and customers of the different departments, ensuring a maximum contribution of the farm to their goals. With the crop and market knowledge you have/and develop you will also contribute at the (crop) strategic level working together with the stakeholders.

You demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit; you are problem-solving and take initiative and ownership ensuring the farm operates optimal.

Responsibilities:

• Management and maintenance of the farm and its facilities incl. machines and equipment.
• The excellent execution of the farm operational activities and cultivation of the crops with your team and according to the predefined (trial) goals.
• Placement of the external trials within the aimed conditional framework, and maintenance of growers relationships.
• Data collection as agreed upon in advance, according to defined protocols, and using internal systems.
• Responsible for quality seed production with all aspects related to it and according predefined goals and standard.
• Responsible for implementation of field days.
• Drawing up the annual planning for all operational activities at the farm (incl. external trialling). This in consultation and close alignment with the stakeholders (breeders, development colleagues, and marketing colleagues).
• Preparation of, submitting, and monitoring of the approved operating and capital budgets for the operational activities. Reporting on the achieved objectives on both financial and operational level.
• Responsible for good labor planning, daily management and supervision, and the stimulation and development of the permanent and temporary workforce.
• Striving for continuous quality improvement and promoting process implementation and innovation.
• You maintain fruitful contacts with local actors as required for the smooth and effective operations of the farm (as ministry of agriculture, municipality, water employment agencies, suppliers, employment agencies, etc.).
• Ensures continuous compliance with regulations, internal policies and guidelines, and safe and responsible working environment (ESH).

Required skills:

• Develop strong and fruitful working relationships with local growers, nurseries, representatives, suppliers, as well as colleagues both national and international.
• You are also people-oriented, communicative, customer-friendly, focused on collaboration and you have good leadership qualities. You enjoy coaching and mentoring employees. You have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can organize well, plan, think strategically and tactically and have a great sense of responsibility.
• Keeping up to date with relevant (market)developments in the region and proactively communicate thereof.
• Being able to scout pest and diseases and implement appropriate biological and/or chemical crop protection.
• Being able to accurately observe crop growth needs, carry out assessments/checks, and implement appropriate fertilization.
• Being able to work meticulous and consistent in data collection or selection work.
• Ability to work independently while also within and across (international) teams.
• Being able to formulate problems and bottlenecks clearly.
• Demonstrating commitment, flexibility and loyalty to ensure the continuity of the company.
• Being able to communicate, explain, transfer and motivate accurately and clearly.
• Being able to work and perform under fluctuating work pressure and ability to work extended hours under variable environmental and ergonomic conditions associated with (field)trial planting, evaluation, harvesting.
• Being able to handle company data confidentially.
• Prepared to travel frequently domestically and sometimes internationally.
• Perform weekend and emergency services.
• Driver’s license.

Optimal education/experience

• A completed university of Agriculture Science, Horticulture or Plant Protection.
• Work experience as farm and labors manager minimum 2 years.
• Experience with (vegetable) crop management and cultivation minimum 5 years.
• Demonstrable experience in an international (breeding) environment is an advantage.
• Good working knowledge in Microsoft Office tools and skills (or ability to develop) with handheld data collection devices and associated software.
• High level in English (speaking, reading, and writing).

Our offer:

• An open, international work environment within a small dedicated team.
• Attractive employment conditions.
• Opportunities for personal development and growth.

Would you like to know more about the position or our company or apply for the job? Please send your message and/or CV and cover letter to our head of Bakker Brothers Egypt. Email: mohamed@bakkerbrothers.nl  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

We are only considering applications from candidates based in Egypt.