Director of Agriculture

Director of Agriculture

2026-09-28T11:41:05+00:00

Horyal Investments Holding Company Ltd

https://cdn.greatugandajobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_2733/logo/Horyal%20Investments%20Holding%20Company%20Ltd.jpg

https://www.greatugandajobs.com

FULL_TIME

Atiak, Uganda

Uganda

00256

Uganda

Professional Services

Business Operations, Admin & Office, Management

UGX

MONTH

2026-10-30T17:00:00+00:00

8

Location: Atiak, Uganda

Reports to:

Senior Management

Position:

Full-time

Position Purpose

The Director of Agriculture will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the agricultural division, ensuring the efficient, productive and sustainable development of the company's agricultural operations.

The role will be responsible for translating the company's strategic objectives into practical agricultural plans, production programmes, budgets, resource requirements and performance targets, while leading the agricultural team to deliver agreed results.

The Director will oversee the full agricultural value chain, including sugarcane production, agronomy, irrigation, mechanisation, harvesting, machinery and workshop operations, budgeting, resource management, staff development, agricultural projects and diversification initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Agricultural Strategy & Planning
• Develop and implement the agricultural master plan and long-term development roadmap.
• Establish annual production plans, agricultural calendars, targets and operational priorities.
• Align agricultural activities with the company's commercial, financial and strategic objectives.
• Continuously assess operations and identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
• 2. Sugarcane Production & Agronomy
• Provide overall technical and operational direction for sugarcane production from land preparation through planting, crop establishment, ratooning, maintenance and harvesting.
• Develop and oversee agronomy programmes covering fertilisation, weed, pest and disease management, soil health and crop nutrition.
• Apply knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and biology to improve crop performance and resource efficiency.
• Use weather and climate data to support decisions relating to planting, spraying, irrigation, harvesting and other field operations.
• Monitor crop development, estimate yields and implement corrective actions where required.
• 3. Water Management & Irrigation Knowledge
• Maintain a sound practical understanding of crop water requirements and water application scheduling.
• Understand the relationship between crop demand, soil characteristics, available soil moisture and irrigation requirements.
• Understand irrigation system application rates, application efficiency and field capacity and how these influence irrigation scheduling.
• Ensure water application is aligned with crop growth stage, soil conditions, weather conditions and the requirements of the irrigation system.
• Work closely with irrigation and technical teams to ensure efficient and timely water application and to identify opportunities to improve water-use efficiency.
• 4. Mechanisation, Machinery & Workshop
• Develop and implement the agricultural mechanisation strategy.
• Plan machinery requirements and optimise fleet utilisation, productivity, availability and operating costs.
• Oversee mechanised land preparation, planting, crop maintenance and harvesting operations.
• Provide strategic oversight of the agricultural workshop, ensuring effective maintenance, repairs, spare-parts planning and equipment availability.
• Evaluate new machinery, technologies and mechanisation opportunities based on productivity and economic returns.
• Significant practical experience in large-scale agricultural mechanisation, particularly sugarcane, will be a strong advantage.
• 5. Harvesting Operations
• Develop and oversee the annual and seasonal harvesting programme.
• Coordinate harvesting machinery, labour, transport and other resources.
• Monitor harvested area, cane tonnage, harvesting efficiency, field losses and operational costs.
• Coordinate agricultural harvesting requirements with relevant factory and logistics teams.
• 6. Budget, CAPEX & Cost Management
• Prepare and manage annual agricultural OPEX and CAPEX budgets.
• Develop budgets based on production areas, crop requirements, labour, machinery, irrigation, inputs and projects.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure effective utilisation of financial resources.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining production and quality standards.
• Monitor cost per hectare, cost per tonne and other relevant agricultural performance indicators.
• Lead the planning and implementation of major agricultural capital projects.
• 7. Resource, Procurement & Inventory Management
• Plan requirements for fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, seed cane, fuel, labour, machinery, spare parts and other agricultural resources.
• Ensure resources are available at the right time and in the required quantities to avoid disruption to field operations.
• Oversee agricultural inventory and stock-control systems, including usage monitoring, reconciliation and replenishment planning.
• Work closely with procurement, finance and other departments to ensure efficient resource management.
• 8. Team Leadership & Organisational Development
• Lead, motivate and develop the agricultural management and field teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities, work programmes, targets and performance expectations.
• Lead recruitment and interviews for key agricultural positions as required.
• Manage performance and support the development of local technical and management capacity.
• Train, mentor and provide technical support to junior agricultural staff.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, discipline and a strong safety culture.
• 9. Research, Trials & Continuous Improvement
• Lead agricultural trials and research programmes covering varieties, fertilisation, crop protection, soil health, irrigation and other agronomic practices.
• Analyse trial results and translate findings into practical improvements.
• Engage with research institutions, suppliers and technical specialists where appropriate.
• Promote the adoption of data-driven and sustainable agricultural practices.
• 10. Reporting, Data & Performance Management
• Establish effective agricultural reporting and record-keeping systems.
• Monitor production, crop condition, yields, inputs, labour, machinery, irrigation, inventory and costs.
• Analyse operational data and provide management with clear recommendations and corrective actions.
• Report regularly to Senior Management on performance, progress, risks, challenges and opportunities.
• Establish and monitor departmental KPIs / PMS.
• 11. Agricultural Development & Diversification
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for agricultural diversification and business development.
• Prepare or contribute to business plans and feasibility assessments for new agricultural initiatives.
• Oversee approved diversification projects and ensure alignment with the company's strategic objectives.
• Where applicable, support agricultural development initiatives involving neighbouring communities.
• 12. Stakeholder, Compliance & HSE Management
• Maintain effective relationships with senior management, government authorities, suppliers, contractors, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure agricultural operations comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, health and safety requirements.
• Promote safe handling and use of agricultural chemicals, machinery and equipment.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Engineering or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification
• in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Management, Business/Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum
• 10 years' relevant agricultural experience
• , with significant experience in senior agricultural or plantation management.
• Strong practical experience in
• large-scale sugarcane production and plantation operations
• .
• Demonstrated experience in agricultural planning, budgeting, resource management and cost control.
• Strong understanding of sugarcane agronomy and plantation cultural practices.
• Experience in irrigation and water management.
• Proven experience leading agricultural teams and multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and agricultural management/reporting systems.
• Experience in large-scale agricultural mechanisation and machinery management is highly desirable.
• Experience in Uganda or East Africa would be an advantage.
• Leadership, Communication & Professional Competencies
• The successful candidate should demonstrate:
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary agricultural teams, motivate staff, delegate effectively and develop junior managers and technical personnel.
• Strategic thinking and development capability, with the ability to translate the company's objectives into long-term agricultural strategies, development plans, budgets and practical implementation programmes.
• Multi-disciplinary / multi-skilled capability, with a broad understanding of agricultural production, agronomy, irrigation, mechanisation, harvesting, finance, budgeting, procurement, human resources and project management.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex operational situations and take timely, commercially sound decisions.
• Professional meeting and presentation skills, including the ability to chair management and operational meetings, set agendas, guide discussions, resolve issues and ensure clear actions and follow-up.
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills, with the confidence to engage and negotiate effectively with senior management, government authorities, local communities, suppliers, contractors, research institutions, investors and international partners.
• Excellent written and verbal English, with the ability to prepare professional reports, presentations, correspondence and management documents.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, together with the ability to use agricultural management systems, data-analysis tools, GIS/GPS or other relevant digital technologies.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and operational demands simultaneously.
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel regularly within the plantation and, where required, for meetings, projects and stakeholder engagements.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative and operate effectively in a challenging large-scale agricultural environment
• .
• Additional Desirable Attributes
• Experience working with international stakeholders, investors, technical advisers or development partners.
• Experience presenting agricultural strategies, budgets, projects and performance to senior management or boards.
• Experience managing change and introducing new agricultural technologies, mechanisation systems or operational processes.
• Fluency in additional languages relevant to the Ugandan/East African operating environment would be an advantage.
• Key Performance Areas
• Performance will be assessed against agreed targets including:
• Sugarcane yield and productivity
• Planned versus actual planted and harvested area
• Crop establishment and ratoon performance
• Harvesting efficiency and cane losses
• Irrigation and water-use efficiency
• Machinery utilisation and productivity
• Labour productivity
• Input and inventory management
• Agricultural cost per hectare and per tonne
• OPEX and CAPEX performance
• Timely execution of agricultural programmes
• Delivery of agricultural projects
• Staff development and departmental performance
• Accuracy and timeliness of agricultural reporting
• Key Responsibilities 1. Agricultural Strategy & Planning Develop and implement the agricultural master plan and long-term development roadmap. Establish annual production plans, agricultural calendars, targets and operational priorities. Align agricultural activities with the company's commercial, financial and strategic objectives. Continuously assess operations and identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability. 2. Sugarcane Production & Agronomy Provide overall technical and operational direction for sugarcane production from land preparation through planting, crop establishment, ratooning, maintenance and harvesting. Develop and oversee agronomy programmes covering fertilisation, weed, pest and disease management, soil health and crop nutrition. Apply knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and biology to improve crop performance and resource efficiency. Use weather and climate data to support decisions relating to planting, spraying, irrigation, harvesting and other field operations. Monitor crop development, estimate yields and implement corrective actions where required. 3. Water Management & Irrigation Knowledge Maintain a sound practical understanding of crop water requirements and water application scheduling. Understand the relationship between crop demand, soil characteristics, available soil moisture and irrigation requirements. Understand irrigation system application rates, application efficiency and field capacity and how these influence irrigation scheduling. Ensure water application is aligned with crop growth stage, soil conditions, weather conditions and the requirements of the irrigation system. Work closely with irrigation and technical teams to ensure efficient and timely water application and to identify opportunities to improve water-use efficiency. 4. Mechanisation, Machinery & Workshop Develop and implement the agricultural mechanisation strategy. Plan machinery requirements and optimise fleet utilisation, productivity, availability and operating costs. Oversee mechanised land preparation, planting, crop maintenance and harvesting operations. Provide strategic oversight of the agricultural workshop, ensuring effective maintenance, repairs, spare-parts planning and equipment availability. Evaluate new machinery, technologies and mechanisation opportunities based on productivity and economic returns. Significant practical experience in large-scale agricultural mechanisation, particularly sugarcane, will be a strong advantage. 5. Harvesting Operations Develop and oversee the annual and seasonal harvesting programme. Coordinate harvesting machinery, labour, transport and other resources. Monitor harvested area, cane tonnage, harvesting efficiency, field losses and operational costs. Coordinate agricultural harvesting requirements with relevant factory and logistics teams. 6. Budget, CAPEX & Cost Management Prepare and manage annual agricultural OPEX and CAPEX budgets. Develop budgets based on production areas, crop requirements, labour, machinery, irrigation, inputs and projects. Monitor expenditure and ensure effective utilisation of financial resources. Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining production and quality standards. Monitor cost per hectare, cost per tonne and other relevant agricultural performance indicators. Lead the planning and implementation of major agricultural capital projects. 7. Resource, Procurement & Inventory Management Plan requirements for fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, seed cane, fuel, labour, machinery, spare parts and other agricultural resources. Ensure resources are available at the right time and in the required quantities to avoid disruption to field operations. Oversee agricultural inventory and stock-control systems, including usage monitoring, reconciliation and replenishment planning. Work closely with procurement, finance and other departments to ensure efficient resource management. 8. Team Leadership & Organisational Development Lead, motivate and develop the agricultural management and field teams. Establish clear responsibilities, work programmes, targets and performance expectations. Lead recruitment and interviews for key agricultural positions as required. Manage performance and support the development of local technical and management capacity. Train, mentor and provide technical support to junior agricultural staff. Promote accountability, teamwork, discipline and a strong safety culture. 9. Research, Trials & Continuous Improvement Lead agricultural trials and research programmes covering varieties, fertilisation, crop protection, soil health, irrigation and other agronomic practices. Analyse trial results and translate findings into practical improvements. Engage with research institutions, suppliers and technical specialists where appropriate. Promote the adoption of data-driven and sustainable agricultural practices. 10. Reporting, Data & Performance Management Establish effective agricultural reporting and record-keeping systems. Monitor production, crop condition, yields, inputs, labour, machinery, irrigation, inventory and costs. Analyse operational data and provide management with clear recommendations and corrective actions. Report regularly to Senior Management on performance, progress, risks, challenges and opportunities. Establish and monitor departmental KPIs / PMS. 11. Agricultural Development & Diversification Identify and evaluate opportunities for agricultural diversification and business development. Prepare or contribute to business plans and feasibility assessments for new agricultural initiatives. Oversee approved diversification projects and ensure alignment with the company's strategic objectives. Where applicable, support agricultural development initiatives involving neighbouring communities. 12. Stakeholder, Compliance & HSE Management Maintain effective relationships with senior management, government authorities, suppliers, contractors, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure agricultural operations comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, health and safety requirements. Promote safe handling and use of agricultural chemicals, machinery and equipment. Identify operational risks and implement appropriate mitigat
• Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Engineering or a related field. Postgraduate qualification in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Management, Business/Management or a related discipline. Minimum 10 years' relevant agricultural experience, with significant experience in senior agricultural or plantation management. Strong practical experience in large-scale sugarcane production and plantation operations. Demonstrated experience in agricultural planning, budgeting, resource management and cost control. Strong understanding of sugarcane agronomy and plantation cultural practices. Experience in irrigation and water management. Proven experience leading agricultural teams and multidisciplinary projects. Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and agricultural management/reporting systems. Experience in large-scale agricultural mechanisation and machinery management is highly desirable. Experience in Uganda or East Africa would be an advantage.
• bachelor degree
• 120
• JOB-6aba5251e5642