Farm Manager at Aldelano Organic Foods Ltd

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Farm Manager with a proven record of successfully managing commercial open-field habanero pepper production and greenhouse bell pepper production. The ideal candidate must possess strong technical agricultural knowledge, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to consistently deliver high yields, high-quality produce, and profitable farm operations.The Farm Manager will oversee all aspects of production, including planning, planting, irrigation, fertigation, pest and disease management, harvesting, post-harvest handling, staff supervision, equipment management, and operational reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Farm Planning & Crop Production

• Develop and implement annual and seasonal production plans.
• Plan nursery operations, transplanting schedules, and field establishment.
• Supervise land preparation, irrigation installation, and greenhouse production.
• Ensure crops are planted according to recommended spacing and production standards.
• Monitor crop growth and implement timely corrective actions.Irrigation & Fertigation
• Develop and supervise irrigation and fertigation schedules.
• Monitor water quality, soil moisture, pH, and EC.- Ensure proper fertilizer application to maximize yield and plant health.
• Maintain irrigation systems and greenhouse climate control systems.
• Pest, Disease & Weed Management- Develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
• Monitor fields and greenhouses daily for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Recommend and supervise safe pesticide and fungicide applications
• Maintain spray records and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Greenhouse Management

• Manage all greenhouse activities, including climate control, ventilation, pruning, trellising, pollination support where necessary, and sanitation
• Monitor temperature, humidity, and irrigation to optimize bell pepper production.
• Ensure greenhouse infrastructure is properly maintained.

Staff Management

• Recruit, train, supervise, and motivate farm employees.
• Assign daily work schedules and monitor performance.
• Enforce discipline, attendance, and workplace safety.
• Develop team leaders and build a high-performance workforce.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

• Schedule harvesting to maximize quality and market value.
• Ensure proper grading, sorting, packaging, and storage. 
• Reduce post-harvest losses through best handling practices.

Farm Operations

• Prepare production budgets and monitor operating costs.
• Manage inventory of fertilizers, chemicals, seeds, and equipment.
• Coordinate maintenance of tractors, irrigation systems, pumps, vehicles, and farm equipment.
• Ensure all farm operations comply with safety and environmental standards.
• Record Keeping & Reporting- Maintain accurate records of:
• Plant populations - Fertilizer applications - Spray programs - Irrigation schedules - Labour productivity - Harvest volumes - Yield per hectare - Equipment maintenance - Production costs- Submit weekly and monthly performance reports to management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agronomy, Crop Production, Agriculture, Horticulture, or a related field.
• Professional agricultural certifications are an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years' experience managing commercial pepper production.
• Demonstrated success managing open-field habanero pepper farms.
• Demonstrated success managing greenhouse bell pepper production.
• Proven record of achieving high yields and maintaining crop quality.- Experience managing large farm workforces.