Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the position Grower Agriculture Manager. The position reports to the Agriculture Director and operates within the Agriculture function.
Key Responsibilities
· Develop the long-term cane supply plan; ensure that appropriate processes are run to refresh plan at appropriate intervals and that initiatives are in place to deliver on the plan strategy.
· Oversee coordination of a rateables supply of cane to the mill aligned with mill requirements, ensuring delivery equity between Growers (including Estate cane) and haulers is maintained, and that “no cane” stops, other than those for rain, are minimized and plant crushing capacity & overall time efficiency (OTE) maximized.
· Develop crop forecasts from review of strategic analysis of crop growing areas being cognizant of prevailing conditions e.g. weather, soil, politics, social etc.
· Build a strong leadership team and talent pipeline for Grower agriculture through ongoing coaching, mentoring and guidance.
· Drive rigorous performance management, biased towards rewarding strong performance and compliance with critical behaviors, and including managing consequences where required.
· Drive operational excellence across Grower agriculture by making informed tradeoffs and driving initiatives that will deliver a sustainable cane supply at optimal cost and quality levels.
· Ensure adoption of group standards and processes for identifying and securing cane supply, supporting the Grower ecosystem, managing Grower relationships and managing Grower cane supply.
· Drive synergies with the group, effectively partnering with group counterparts to identify, share and embed opportunities for optimisation.
· Oversee relationships with Growers, key stakeholders and 3rd party suppliers
· Report on cane supply and Grower performance, including key adverse or positive developments, to Nakambala Leadership and One Centre Agriculture.
· Initiate and develop the business case for key projects (including innovation opportunities), ensuring required outcomes are delivered on time.
· Establish and maintain a cane production and grower relationship management database that satisfies business requirements.
· Manage and coordinate sharing of identified best practices, frameworks and minimum standards within function through One Centre platform and provide additional opportunities for problem identification and knowledge sharing.
· Oversee effective talent and performance management within function.
· Promote and adhere to Illovo’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).
· Ensure enablers are in place to promote success (e.g. systems and processes).
· Identify and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track performance and flag any issues.
Minimum Requirements
· Grade 12 School Certificate
· Agriculture Degree or equivalent
· Preferably 8+ years’ experience in sugar cane agricultural operations, Grower liaison and cane supply.
· Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
· Good business acumen and agricultural expertise, with ability to anticipate, interpret and respond to changes impacting on functional area
· A formal business/commercial qualification would be an advantage
· Strong agriculture data analysis skills
Suitably qualified applicants must provide certificates verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).
Should you be interested in applying for this role, please submit your detailed CV, copies of relevant qualifications, registrations and ID/Passport for the attention of HR Business Partner.
Email: careers@zamsugar.zmindicating “Application – Grower Agriculture Manager” in the subject line.
All internal employees are required to complete the Internal Application Form and obtain relevant signatures when applying for vacancies.
Closing date for applications is 18th February 2026.
Applicants shall be required to complete pre-employment checks (qualification, credit, security, background, and medical assessments) as part of the recruitment process where applicable. Should you not hear from us within 4 weeks after the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
