SIC CACAOS

JOB ADVERT: Senior Operations and Farm Services Manager

Location: Douala (CMDO), LT, CM, +237
Job ID: 47164
Barry Callebaut is the heart and engine of the cocoa and chocolate industry. We are looking for Senior Operations and Farm Services Manager in Cameroon for Yaoundé. Our broad range of products and services span all aspects from cocoa sourcing to fine chocolate products, which are loved by people of all ages worldwide. We are passionate about our business and work hard every day to ensure that there is enough chocolate in the world. Nothing is more important to our success than the combined expertise of more than 9000 Barry Callebaut employees around the world. Our international focus in the fascinating world of cocoa-growing and chocolate are the colorful backdrop for our many functions across a wide range of disciplines. In addition to sharing a passion for chocolate, Barry Callebaut employees live our other corporate values every day - customer focus, entrepreneurship, integrity and team spirit. We are committed to making sure that they have the right skills, know-how and deep understanding of our customers and their needs. Engaging and developing our employees is the key to our success. Because our business focus is so broad, the scope of career opportunities within Barry Callebaut can cover many functional areas.
General information:
Line reporting : Country Sustainability Manager
Dotted reporting : Not applicable
Subordinates : 10-20 people
Type of contract : Full Time
Location : Yaoundé
Level of priority : Very urgent
Short Narrative:
SIC Cacao is looking for a Senior Manager to conceptualize and grow the farm services business in Cameroon. The person should have an excellent track record of business development- especially in rural environment. The incumbent is expected to start the farm services business and grow it to a very large scale in the next 3 years. In line with this objective, the incumbent should possess excellent understanding and have hands-on experience of setting up and managing rural sales & distribution or any consumer products or farm inputs.  The person should possess serious managerial and operations skill to strategize the business and grow the same. The person is expected to handle a team that will grow with the business growth and the expectation is to have a complete sales management approach in expanding this business.
Description of tasks:

• The incumbent will the key architect to grow the farm services business for SIC Cacao in Cameroon – responsible for the P&L
• Engaging farmers and farmer groups to offer services and farm inputs based on our farm business plans which personalize the offerings to the farmers.
• Creation of farmer groups where such groups are non-existent
• Building a network of distribution of farm inputs to expand our reach on farmers targeted
• Ensuring cost effective means of distribution of such inputs and farmers targeted
• Design and implement the organization structure for delivery of Farm Services and Farm Finance in Cameroon in conjunction with the Sourcing and Sustainability platforms. Key tasks are
  • Avoid duplication of structures and costs
  • Benchmark the competition in terms of their "cost to reach farmer" for their outreach programs in CDI
  • Create an SOP on how to maximize the sourcing structure for all commercial activities
  • Design "incentives" for the key members of the service delivery value chain. ( Staff/Co-ops/Third Party Service providers)
• Create and Market Productivity Packages : This is intended to adapt to the market realities for pricing of cocoa beans and hence a "digestible" price formula for the Co-ops and Farmer Groups
  • Create packages/products for all types of "Customers" based on an on the farm business plans
  • Benchmark with the Competition on the packages offered to the farmers under their umbrella.
  • Align with the Sustainability Operations team for delivery of training and coaching services to the farmers/farmer groups
  • Design a Bottom Up approach for selection of an "Eligible Beneficiary" for the farm services business
  • Farmer enrollment, training, logistics management of inputs, planning all relevant activities, tracking progress and reimbursement of the advance.
• Design and implement risk sharing tools through
  • INPUT SUPPLIERS
  • SUPPLY CHAIN PLAYERS
  • DONORS & INSURANCE COMPANIES
  • MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTIONS
• Ensure full use of Katchile' system to run the FARM SERVICES BUSINESS
  • Linked to sourcing platform and the sustainability platform
  • Upload of data on a fixed frequency and generation of reports to track the "Efficiency of the Business" regularly.
• Risk Management systems to check and balance the results and outcomes of the key KPIs and hence, do a dynamic forecasting of the P&L of the business
• Work closely with the in-house Agronomist to create and grow the replanting and underplanting models of cocoa farm rejuvenation
  • Work with R&D and the consultants to design and implement an "efficient" replanting model
  • Network with Govt for getting access to Planting materials and also to influence the Germplasm strategy in Cameroon
• He/She will also play a key role in managing all the sustainability programs in the country including but not restricted to Certification, Data Collection, Community Development Work, Deforestation etc
• Cost control, cost optimization and cost leadership of all initiatives under her/his responsibility.
• Provide team management and capacity building in order to reach the targets.
• Liaising with M&E team for data / information for client reporting as well as for impact measurement of our programs. Ensuring accurate reports are provided on time.
• Liaising with the government and other research organizations regularly.
• Setting up a state of the art cocoa seedlings nursery for seedlings distribution and for our own rehabilitation work with the support of the technical team.
• Innovation / critical area focus related: looking at farmer profitability regularly and trying innovative ways to reduce cost of packages. Working closely with team in the ground to secure adjacent land for replanting, finding innovative ways of recruiting and utilizing the required labor force.
• Team building: a very important KPI. To mentor the team and have a clear way to evaluate performance of team members against clear targets and provide a clear career path for them.
• Liaising with accounts & finance regarding proper booking of expenses, approving expenses on time, timely payment of bills.
• Client relations and reporting on the activities.
• As an organization we are carrying out pilots as key to learning. Be responsible for this pilot through the Pilot Manager.
• Overall, the lead and the point person for all activities related to Farm Services in Cameroon

Ideal candidate profile:
Education

• Master’s degree preferably in relevant field such as Business Management, Agronomy, Development Economics, Environmental Science or other related disciplines.

Experience

• Extensive work experience of more than 7 years as a Business Development / Sales & Marketing Manager, ideally in a rural environment, in Cameroon.  Experience in cocoa or in farm inputs is not necessary but can be a plus. The applicant should clearly exhibit evidence of growing businesses and managing large teams and achievement of stiff sales targets.

Specific knowledge, competencies and skills required

• Dynamic personality with strong managerial skills and the capacity to relate to individuals from different cultures and back grounds.
• Expert in sales & marketing management; sales promotion; rural marketing; distribution
• Fluent in French and English are very important.
• Be based in Yaounde and and willing travel within the country (40%) and some regional / international travel.
• Computer literate.
• Hands-on mentality, flexible and self-motivated.
• Drivers license
• Team player

Salary and benefits

• Monthly gross salary : To be negociated

Our strength comes from the passion and expertise of our people. As we strive to create an environment in which our people can continue to learn and develop their skills on an ongoing basis, it is our goal to encourage entrepreneurship and creativity. Apply for one of our interesting positions today and start a great career in the world of cocoa and chocolate.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please go to "careers" page on group BARRY CALLEBAUT website: www.barry-callebaut.com