The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:  Operations Manager

Organisation: EKiBBO Farming Services

Duty Station: Kampala and Mukono, Uganda

About Organisation:

EKiBBO Farming Services is a social business, incorporated in June 2023, with the aim of supporting farmers to develop multi-crop, agroforestry businesses. We have started operations in Mukono District with a team of 6 core staff and we have now registered 800 smallholder farmers, with a plan of growing to a minimum of 1,500 farmers by mid-2025. Our business model is to link farmers to a range of services – guaranteed markets, logistics support, training on improving production and agroforestry models (with a focus on organic farming methods), farm inputs, loans, carbon credit schemes, and we take a small fee for the linkages made.

Job Summary:   At this point of organisational expansion, we are looking for a highly organised, motivated and enthusiastic person, with experience in managing operations and sales within the agribusiness sector to manage EKiBBO’s expansion into new districts, our growing field extension team and ensure efficient and effective processes for farmer registration, training, harvesting and collection of produce, logistics, and linking farmers to markets, financial services and inputs. The role, along with colleagues, will also play a key role in overseeing and managing the implementation of projects funded by institutional donors.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Agricultural Operations

• Manage the processes and staff working on registering farmers, including leading on coordinating and organising farmer information sessions and training staff on registering farmers onto the digital platform.
• Oversee and coordinate agricultural production activities across the target locations to ensure products are grown according to agreed standards and protocols, and production targets are met.
• Implement quality assurance measures for products/services and update/monitor production KPIs.
• Ensure that production processes are efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable and that EKiBBO’s organic values are upheld.
• Coordinate certification processes for products, including Organic and Rainforest Alliance, and ensure a clear delegation of role and responsibilities to different team members in this process.
• Support EKiBBO’s work on linking farmers to alternative services, such as financial services and carbon credit platforms.
• Manage the quality and security of products kept in store, upholding EKiBBO procedures on maintaining stock cards.
• Ensure product collections are cost efficient, according to a robust logistics plan.

Team Management

• Recruit and induct new members to EKiBBO’s field extension team
• Manage the field extension team and coordinate their activities on farmer training, crop selection, planting schedules, harvesting methods/times etc.
• Monitor employee and team performance, offering coaching, training, and feedback for improvement.
• Coordinate other support staff activities, especially working on M&E and logistics planning.

Management of Digital platform

• Oversee the day-to-day data entry and synchronization into the digital system, ensuring farmer data is accurate.
• Ensure all data captured in the field locations is entered onto the digital platform and we have full traceability of produce sales back to the farmer.
• Pulling out reports as required to reflect farmer locations, production levels, sales etc.
• Use the digital platform to develop reports and provide analysis of the impact of our interventions on farmers’ businesses and livelihoods, and collate this data for external reports.
• Ensure any other digital Apps required by buyers or partners are being used appropriately and as per the standards set by the buyer/partner.

Marketing and sales

• Email marketing services
• Develop reliable production targets that can feed into business plans, budgets and marketing materials.
• Wherever possible, identify cost-saving measures or revenue-enhancing strategies that can support EKiBBO’s expansion as a social business.
• Working with the Managing Director, identify target markets for different types of produce, establishing relationships with buyers and/or their operations’ managers as required.

Communications

• Foster strong relationships with farmers, suppliers, customers, government agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations to enhance EKiBBO’s productivity and reputation.
• Maintain & ensure constant communication with management, staff, and vendors to ensure proper operations of the organization

Finance and Administration:

• Develop budgets and requisitions for finance, manage day to day field budgets across the extension team and ensure expenditure is spent according to agreed budgets and accounted for, according to EKiBBO’s financial guidelines.
• Ensure timely and accurate payments are made to farmers, and that all receipts and required paperwork is kept in accordance with EKiBBO’s financial guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Finance and Administration Office and EKiBBO’s extension staff to support farmers in the development of financial planning tools and in the set-up of bank accounts.
• Arrange and facilitate payments – in liaison with the Finance and Administration Officer – for logistics and transportation services for the movement of harvested products.
• Arrange for operating licenses as required in EKiBBO’s target locations.
• Ensure records of expenditure, purchasing, and internal approvals are all kept in good condition.

Other

• Contribute to the development of corporate systems and procedures.
• A part of the senior management team, support the Managing Director in any tasks that may be required in terms of business or strategy development, representation and marketing.
• Manage the Mukono office, in close liaison with the Managing Director and Finance and Administration Officer, ensuring agreed security protocols are in place and any maintenance issues addressed.
• Support the development of an office culture that is based on trust and mutual support to achieve EKiBBO’s vision and mission.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures for efficient operations.
• Enhance systems, processes, and best practices.
• Ensure organizational processes comply with legal regulations and standards.
• Uphold health and safety guidelines and enforce compliance.
• In the event that EKiBBO develops manufacturing capacity, monitor manufacturing processes to ensure high-quality products.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices.
• Integrate new technologies and business processes as needed.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• At least 4 years’ experience in an Operations management role within an Agribusiness, or similar company.
• Experience of product development and sales
• A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, B.COMM and any other related field.
• Demonstrable competency in strategic planning & Business development
• At least 4 years’ experience of personnel management
• Excellent understanding of Microsoft word, Powerpoint and Excel.
• Experience working with digital platforms/databases
• Experience establishing and developing monitoring frameworks for project/businesses.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively to Mukono and other areas as required.
• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Luganda (desirable)
• Master’s degree (desirable)
• Experience of working in at least one of the following value chains; coffee, cocoa, bamboo, vanilla, jackfruit, avocado (desirable)

Join us at EKiBBO and be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to sustainable agriculture and community development. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and your passion for transforming livelihoods and improving the environment through agroforestry.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application to sophie@ekibbo.com with the subject line “Operations Manager – [Your Name].” Include your resume, cover letter, and any additional documents that showcase your qualifications and experience.

Deadline: 9th December 2024

NB: We appreciate all applications, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest in joining our team at EKiBBO Farming Services.

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