Speedling Nursery Supervisor at Kilombero Sugar

The Sugarcane Nursery supervisor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the management, and operations of a sugarcane nursery. This role ensures the production of high-quality planting material, adherence to best agronomic practices, and the successful distribution of healthy sugarcane seedlings to the company fields. The supervisor will work closely with agricultural teams, research specialists, and other related stakeholders to optimize nursery results and contribute to the success of sugarcane cultivation operations.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, support and develop the team leaders in each phase of the speedlings production
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and protocols for nursery operations
• Plan, establish, and maintain sugarcane speedling production under high-yielding, disease-free planting materials
• Oversee the propagation of sugarcane varieties through Single Eye Buds or other propagation methods
• Monitor and manage all nursery operations, including seed cane collection, Single Eye Buds cutting and germination, planting, irrigation, pest and disease control, dispatch, and quality control on planting in the field
• Implement and maintain quality control measures to ensure the production of healthy, high-quality sugarcane seedlings
• Oversee the daily activities of nursery staff, including planting, irrigation, fertilization, and weed control
• Maintain and manage the inventory of fertilizers, chemicals, tools, equipment, and other nursery supplies
• Schedule and coordinate the delivery of planting material to the Farm Managers on planting sites
• Keep detailed records of planting schedules, crop performance, and nursery operations
• Monitor and evaluate the growth and health of sugarcane varieties, documenting any issues or improvements
• Provide regular reports on nursery performance, production metrics, and management challenges
• Oversee the pre-planting conditions in the fields to be planted and planting quality
• Ensure adherence to propagation estimate cadence, and accurate reports submitted on time
• Identify and monitor KPIs and balanced scorecards, track performance and flag any issues
• 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)

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree / Diploma in Agriculture / Agricultural Development / Agricultural Engineering
• 3+ years’ experience in sugar cane agriculture,
• Experience in speedling production is an added advantage
• Preferably MIT graduate
• Good business acumen and agricultural expertise, with ability to anticipate, interpret and respond to changes impacting on functional area
• Strong data analysis skills

Terms of Service: The successful candidate will be engaged on a permanent pensionable contract

All interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, please apply for the position on or before 10th July 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Kilombero Sugar Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people with disability are highly encouraged to apply.