Herbs Specialist

Role Overview

This position is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of a commercial herb farm, from soil preparation through to harvest and post-harvest processing. You will translate high-level production targets into practical field plans, supervise a team of agricultural workers, and make data-driven decisions to protect crop health and maximise yield. Your work directly supports the organisation's ability to deliver consistent, high-quality herbs to market while keeping operational costs and losses under control.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement daily, weekly, and seasonal production schedules for herb crops, aligning field activities with broader organisational targets and market demand.
• Oversee all cultivation stages, including land preparation, planting, irrigation scheduling, fertiliser application, weeding, pruning, and timely harvesting across multiple field plots.
• Conduct regular scouting for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, and implement integrated crop protection strategies that minimise chemical use while safeguarding yield.
• Establish and enforce strict protocols for harvesting, sorting, grading, washing, and packing to ensure herbs meet food-safety and buyer specifications.
• Track and analyse yield data, post-harvest losses, and field performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and introduce corrective actions.
• Maintain meticulous records of inputs, labour allocation, crop cycles, weather events, and harvest outputs, using this data to refine future planning.
• Lead, train, and supervise field teams, assigning daily tasks, demonstrating correct techniques, and monitoring work quality and adherence to schedules.
• Manage inventory and procurement of seeds, seedlings, fertilisers, crop-protection products, tools, and irrigation equipment to prevent shortages or downtime.
• Prepare regular progress reports for senior management, including production forecasts, cost observations, and recommendations for operational improvements.
• Research and trial improved herb varieties, cultivation methods, soil conservation practices, and value-addition opportunities, then scale up successful pilots.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agribusiness, or a closely related discipline.
• At least seven years of progressive work experience in agriculture, with a minimum of five years specifically in horticulture, commercial herb production, or beekeeping operations.
• Proven hands-on experience managing commercial herb or vegetable crops from planting through harvest, including pest and disease control and post-harvest handling.
• Deep practical knowledge of soil health, irrigation systems, crop nutrition, integrated pest management, and food-safety standards for fresh produce.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and motivate field workers, assign daily tasks, and coordinate logistics across multiple farm sections.
• Familiarity with sustainable farming methods, including water conservation, organic amendments, and integrated crop management principles.
• Willingness to work in remote field locations with basic amenities and adapt to seasonal weather demands and irregular working hours.
• Strong paperwork and reporting skills, including the ability to maintain production logs, compile yield summaries, and communicate clearly with management.