Role Overview:

The Estate Manager oversees the operations of the tea plantation, ensuring efficient and sustainable tea cultivation and production through the implementation of best agronomic practices and modern farming techniques. This role involves managing the workforce, maintaining high-quality standards, and optimizing agricultural practices to maximize tea yield and profitability. This position reports to the General Manager.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Plantation and Crop Management:

• Lead the entire life cycle of tea plantation operations, from initial land preparation to planting, growth, maintenance, and harvesting. Ensure alignment with industry best practices and sustainable agriculture standards to maximize output and quality.
• Develop and execute pest and disease management programs, emphasizing sustainable methods such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Implement advanced pruning techniques to maintain optimal tree structure, stimulate healthy growth, prevent overcrowding, and increase long-term yields.
• Regularly conduct in-depth inspections of plantation health, assessing factors such as tree growth, pest/disease presence, nutrient status, and irrigation efficiency. Proactively address emerging issues by deploying targeted interventions.
• Lead and implement strategic tree replacement and rejuvenation programs to maintain the genetic health of the plantation, ensuring sustained productivity and longevity.

2. Workforce & Labour Management:

• Oversee the coordination and execution of daily plantation tasks, including planting, weeding, pest control, irrigation, and harvesting. Ensure that workers are efficiently allocated based on their skillset and seasonal demands.
• Ensure the workforce is adequately sized for peak activity periods such as planting, pruning, and harvesting. Plan labour needs in advance to ensure the estate runs smoothly and efficiently year-round.
• Implement robust performance tracking systems, such as development and implementation of key performance indicators (KPIs), to monitor workforce productivity. Regularly assess staff performance and implement corrective actions where necessary, including training or reallocation of duties.
• Identify skill gaps and provide training or mentoring to workers to enhance productivity, morale, and retention. Foster a collaborative, efficient, and motivated team environment.
• Maintain rigorous adherence to labour laws, safety regulations, and best practices. Ensure workers’ safety through proper training, equipment, and proactive risk assessments.

3. Sustainability & Environmental Management:

• Develop and implement innovative soil fertility management practices that enhance soil health, prevent degradation, and ensure long-term plantation viability
• Implement strategies to enhance biodiversity within the plantation, ensuring a healthy ecosystem that supports pest control, soil health, and plant productivity.
• Design and lead organic waste management programs such as composting, recycling, and reusing farm materials. Ensure that waste disposal aligns with eco-friendly standards, reducing environmental impact.
• Guide the estate in adhering to national and international environmental sustainability standards. Pursue eco-certification programs that increase marketability and align with global sustainability trends.

4. Financial Planning and Budgeting:

• Develop detailed, data-driven budgets for plantation operations, encompassing costs for labour, inputs (seeds, fertilizers, etc.), machinery, equipment, and other resources. Ensure that all expenses are optimized to maximize profitability.
• Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to ensure cost-effective resource utilization without compromising operational efficiency or product quality. Identify cost-saving opportunities through the optimization of processes and inputs.

5. Research & Development (R&D) Implementation:

• Partner with agronomists, research institutions, and seed developers to identify and implement high-yielding, disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant tea varieties that are tailored to the specific environmental conditions of the plantation.
• Work closely with government agencies, agricultural institutions, and local farmers to disseminate best practices, new techniques, and research findings. Lead educational initiatives and workshops to raise awareness of sustainable agricultural practices within the local farming community.
• Explore the use of biological pest control methods and organic fertilizers to enhance sustainability and minimize environmental impact.
• Design, implement, and evaluate pilot projects to test new farming practices, tools, and technologies before full-scale adoption. Conduct thorough performance assessments to ensure the success and applicability of these innovations.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Grade 12 Certificate with five (5) O Levels.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agroforestry, Plantation Management, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, or a related field.
• Professional membership to a relevant body.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of work experience in management or similar position.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates who are eager to contribute to the success of Kawambwa Tea Industries Limited and are willing to be based in Kawambwa District, Luapula Province, should submit the following documents: ✔️ Application letter addressed to the General Manager. ✔️ Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three (3) traceable referees. ✔️ Proof of membership to a relevant professional body. ✔️ Copy of National Registration Card (NRC). ✔️Take note that if you are successful, verified qualifications from Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZQA) will be required before the job offer.

 All applications are online by filling in the following the form: https://forms.office.com/r/MDtE7ixuu2  

The deadline for receiving applications shall be 16^th March 2025.

Kawambwa Tea Industries Limited is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.