Job Description
Background:
Organic Africa, with its partners B’Ayoba, KaZa, La Rochelle Centre and Stevia Zimbabwe, embodies the future of farming in Africa. Organic Africa is the leading producer of organic and Fair-trade produce in Southern Africa. We are a socially responsible entrepreneurship cultivating high value certified products together with our partner farmers and wild collectors for the global market. We are committed to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
We have the following vacant position:
Position:Area Manager
Job purpose:Manages procurement and processing resources and activities in allocated geographical area, to ensure cost-effective and time-efficient purchasing, processing, warehousing and dispatch, and that activities meets quality, quantity and certification requirements.
Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Team Leadership: Develops and manages the performance of subordinates in the achievement of agreed strategy, business plans and budgets. Fostering a positive and productive work environment within your team and amongst the area cluster leaders.
• Wild collectors Engagement and Recruitment: Develops and maintains relationships with recruited wild collectors and purchases wild fruit when sufficient quantity collected. Establish strong relationships with these wild collectors, addressing their queries, and encouraging their active involvement.
• Training and Capacity Building: Design and conduct comprehensive training programs for wild collectors, focusing on best agricultural practices and sustainable harvesting techniques.
• Supply Chain Management: Collaborate with relevant departments to ensure smooth logistics and coordination in the transportation of produce from farmers to processing centers or markets.
• Product Quality Management: Supervises processing of Baobab fruit and Kigelia at local processing centres in strict conformity with HACCP and organic certification standards. Accountable for quality and quantity of produce meeting standards in allocated area to ensure the viability and reputation of the organisation.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Maintain accurate records & analyze data to assess the scheme's progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Financial Oversight: Assist in budget planning and resource allocation for B’Ayoba, ensuring efficient use of funds to support wild collectors and the overall project.
• Community Outreach and Impact: Foster positive relationships with local communities, government authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable project development and positive social impact.
• Innovation and Research: Stay updated & implement modern solutions to improve productivity and sustainability.
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Requirements:
• A University degree in a relevant field (e.g. Environmental Science, Development Studies, Agriculture, or similar field, or development work equivalent etc).
• Management, with a focus on wild collectors, out grower schemes or contract farming involving small-scale farmers and factory staff. Good understanding of the challenges faced by wild collectors/small-scale farmers and the ability to tailor solutions to suit diverse regional contexts.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to effectively engage with wild collectors/farmers and collaborate with the project team.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the province to visit wild collectors/farmers and project sites. (Must have a driver’s license).
• Proficient in the use of MS Office skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
How to Apply
If you meet the minimum requirements and are interested in the position, please request for an application form from recruitment@organicafrica.biz on or before the 12th of March 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
