Agricultural Operations Senior Manager

Summary

Topian is seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Agricultural Operations to oversee and enhance our agricultural production processes. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing our agricultural activities, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring the sustainability and profitability of our agricultural projects.

Position description and responsibilities

Introduction

• Topian aims at providing opportunities for people to live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives, while sustainably using the natural resources they depend on. Topian works with governments, local and international businesses, knowledge institutes to transform ideas into policy, policy into action, and action into impact. Topian uses its technical knowledge and experience, passionate staff, local presence, and global influence to make a lasting difference in people’s livability especially in desert like conditions in a world facing climate change.
• Our Agriculture pillar focuses on Sustainable Markets, Food and Nutrition Security and Climate Change.

Position description and responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans to increase efficiency and reduce costs in all agricultural operations.
• Develop and update business plans to maximize the profitability of agricultural operations
• Develop and maintain commercial relationships with key industry players, suppliers, and contractors.
• Oversee the daily operations of our farming sites, including crop management, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest processing.
• Manage a large team of agricultural professionals and workers, ensuring they are well-trained and highly motivated.
• Collaborate with R&D to implement new agricultural technologies and practices that enhance yield and sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations concerning agricultural production and employee safety.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and reports on agricultural operations to senior stakeholders.
• Work closely with the supply chain team to optimize processes from farm to market.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, suppliers, and contractors.
• Oversee the maintenance and procurement of farm equipment and supplies.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to the company’s CSR initiatives related to environmental impact.
• and commissioning, together with construction project management entities.
• In collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders, ensure the development of solutions for the capture, storage and analysis of production data in order to optimize conditions that will drive productivity and quality

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in the Agricultural industry.
• Deep understanding of business and technical trends and strong professional network in Agriculture.
• Evidence of holding multidisciplinary senior management positions in a multicultural or international environment
• demonstrated ability to commercially drive multimillion dollar agricultural operation
• Passion for Topian’s mission to deploy the latest technologies to reach Food Security in a desert environment.
• Courageous, creative and conceptual thinker with excellent planning skills.
• Ability to work with a variety of internal and internal stakeholders, and manage multiple projects across the enterprise.
• Strong track record in successfully developing and executing initiatives in a competitive environment.
• Fluent in English (fluency or working knowledge in Arabic is a plus)

Qualifications

• Bachelor or MSc in Plant Sciences, Agriculture Science, Horticulture, or related field required.
• 10+ years of work experience, preferably with both academia and industry relevant background.
• MBA or comparable business experience is a plus