Commercial Field Agronomist

Overview: **We are PepsiCo** PepsiCo is proud to be one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. Every day, we are dedicated to bringing our mission to create more smiles with every sip and every bite to life. Our products are enjoyed more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Our portfolio — including Lay’s, Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi and Quaker — consists of many iconic brands that generate more than US $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales, helping to deliver more than US $70 billion in net revenue in 2020. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive. Through PepsiCo Positive, we are charting a new course to drive positive action for the planet and people. PepsiCo Positive is an end-to-end strategic business transformation with sustainability at the centre of how we will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change. In South Africa (SA), you will find our products across the region at breakfast, lunch or dinner. At the gym or on the field. In the office or on the go. We refresh, restore and rejuvenate our consumers all day, every day with our key brands including Simba, Lay's, Liqui Fruit and Bokomo range of cereals. PepsiCo SA employs more than 13, 000 people across our three business divisions: Bakeries, Grains, Foods, Fruit, Snacks, Juice & Beverages. **Responsibilities**: **What we’re looking for**: We are looking for a Commercial Field Agronomist to join our dynamic team. The successful incumbent will provide Agronomic leadership and technical growing support to Simba potato growers. Roll out revised agricultural best practices to new and existing growers to support IPS product design. Responsible for production information capturing (Croptrack), volume forecasting and the successful integration of new PepsiCo proprietary varieties within the BU’s agronomy productivity agenda. **Accountabilities**: 1.Responsible for educating growers on latest agronomic practices that drive best in class potato quality (lower defects, higher solids), increased yields, reduce foreign objects, inspects and recommend farmer washing/grading operations and equipment. 2.Develop, implement and maintain good handling practices for potatoes to ensure high quality potatoes from storage to the factory. 3.Provide Simba growers with best in class, specialist agronomic support to deliver improved potato quality, monitor crop performance (Croptrack) and implement sustainable improvements across all Simba growers and growing regions. 4.Provide regional Agro management with monthly commercial crop volume estimates compared to contracted volumes, forecast crop losses where it occur, and/or identify potential supply risks in order to effectively plan for “short/over-supply” for commercial contract periods. 5.Interact with plant schedulers regularly, potato laboratory when needed, FLM’s and Operations Managers where needed to facilitate effective management of the potato supply chain from farm to production. 6.Facilitate the successful integration of new potato varieties into SA Program (identify suitable fields and areas for field trials, monitor fields and crop progress regularly, monitor crop quality, arrange plant trials and jointly collate and analyze conversion and consumer performance). 7.Assist Commercial Potato Supply Manager in selecting regional strategic planting areas and farmers that will minimize risk and maximize productivity. 8.Facilitate and execute research projects (new plant materials, fertilizers and chemical, planting and irrigation practices), which will contribute positively to sustainability and productivity programs. 9.Stay updated with latest/best available technology in the agricultural industry in order to be able to assist farmers in making informed decisions. Qualifications: **What will qualify you for the role** - Specialist Agronomical Knowledge of Potato Crop, with emphasis on quantity and quality forecasting (Preferably B.Sc. (Agric) degree or Diploma in agriculture). - Knowledge and experience of agricultural industry (5 + years). - Good technical and planning skills. - High level of computer literacy. - Bilingual. - Experience in the processing sector would be an advantage. - Experience in Agronomy related food safety programs. - Experience in Logistics would be beneficial. **“PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer in line with the Employment Equity Act"