Job Description

Job Title : Manager Agronomy

Grade : M3

Location : Lahore

Key Responsibilities :

The role is responsible for the following:

1. Market Intelligence & Forecasting

• Regularly update the business on UREA and DAP demand forecasts using existing methodologies while introducing innovative approaches to improve forecast accuracy.
• Conduct continuous local and international market scouting for new fertilizer products, technologies, and agronomic solutions to support portfolio expansion.

1. Agronomy Innovation & Digital Agriculture

• Lead deployment of Crop Scans and IoT technologies to deliver the Agronomy Control Tower Pilot.
• Collaborate with the digitization team to design grower outreach platforms and backward integration tools including weather-based advisory systems and digital agriculture platforms (e.g., UgAi).
• Work with the business development team to digitize soil analysis methodologies and integrate machine learning with NIR devices for enhanced diagnostics.

1. Research & Development

• Lead the R&D workstream, establishing a clear roadmap with defined milestones, KPIs, and governance mechanisms for progress tracking.
• Drive research on pipeline products and emerging agronomic technologies.
• Design and oversee field trials and product demonstrations aligned with business requirements and product development objectives.

1. Academia & Research Collaboration

• Build strategic partnerships with academic institutions leveraging ELC facility resources to accelerate research initiatives.
• Collaborate with academia to refine primary research methodologies and contribute to talent development for future succession planning.

1. Farmer Engagement & Market Development

• Lead grower engagement programs to drive product adoption and category growth.
• Deliver three annual product roadshows with marketing to engage key stakeholders.
• Conduct capacity-building initiatives for internal and external stakeholders including sales teams, product managers, retailers, and farmers through value-chain training programs.

1. Soil, Water & Fertilizer Diagnostic Services

• Lead farmer facilitation through soil and irrigation water testing services to provide site-specific fertilizer recommendations based on 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles.
• Oversee execution of:
• Provide diagnostic services to 15,000+ farmers and institutional clients annually.

1. Laboratory Operations & Product Quality Assurance

• Supervise operational and analytical efficiency of EFERT Soil Laboratories, Mobile Soil Testing Units, Zabardast Urea Quality Assurance Laboratory, and Microbiology Laboratory.
• Ensure fertilizer products consistently meet Pakistan Standard Specifications and internal quality requirements.

1. Regulatory Compliance & Government Liaison

• Support fertilizer product standards development with the Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) as an observer on the technical committee.
• Coordinate with government fertilizer testing laboratories across all provinces to align testing methodologies and monitor regulatory compliance under the Fertilizer Control Order/Act.
• Lead strategic planning for product registration and renewals to ensure uninterrupted market access.
• Collaborate with GRRA, Legal, and government stakeholders to resolve regulatory issues related to imported products.

1. Strategic Planning & Resource Management

• Oversee financial planning as per approved budget and resource allocation to ensure cost-effective operations while achieving organizational objectives.

1. Team Capability Development

• Develop and implement capability-building programs to enhance team skills and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure staff development through technical training, assessments, inter-laboratory comparisons, and proficiency testing with ISO-certified laboratories.

Education : B.Sc (Hons)/M.Sc (Hons) Agricultural Sciences

Experience : 08 to 10 years in Agriculture Industry