Company Agronomist

About Vert Limited. Vert Limited is a Kenyan agribusiness specializing in fruit processing and fresh produce export, working closely with smallholder farmers to supply mango, pineapple and fresh vegetables to regional and international markets. We operate under rigorous food safety and social compliance standards, including FSSC 22000, BRCGS, GlobalG.A.P and leading ethical audit schemes.Role Overview We are seeking a Company Agronomist to lead our field production, agronomy and certification programmes for fruits and fresh vegetables. The role will ensure that all farm operations and out grower schemes meet commercial quality requirements and comply with GlobalG.A.P, GRASP, SMETA, Fairtrade and relevant customer and regulatory standards.Key Responsibilities· Lead agronomy strategy and implementation for Vert’s priority crops (mango, pineapple and fresh vegetables), ensuring yield, quality and sustainability targets are met.· Design and manage programmes to achieve and maintain GlobalG.A.P /Organic and GRASP compliance across company farms and out grower groups.· Coordinate field‑level social and ethical compliance programmes (SMETA, Fairtrade or equivalent), including internal assessments, corrective actions and farmer training.· Oversee farmer recruitment, training and technical support on GAP, IPM/ICM, soil health, nutrition, irrigation and responsible pesticide use.· Work closely with the Technical/Quality and Commercial teams to align field production with factory and market requirements (volumes, varieties, quality windows).· Represent Vert in relevant sector platforms, buyer meetings and audits on agronomy and field‑level sustainability topics.· Monitor evolving EU and other export‑market regulations on pesticides, residues, sustainability and social compliance, and translate these into practical guidelines and training for Vert and its farming communities. · Communicate relevant changes to farmer groups, cooperatives and internal stakeholders in a timely and understandable way (briefs, trainings, field days).Qualifications & Experience · Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science or related field, (Master’s degree is an advantage).· Minimum 20-25 years’ experience in horticultural production (fruits and/or vegetables), with at least 3-5 years in a senior agronomy or out grower management role.· Proven, hands‑on experience with GlobalG.A.P implementation and audits, exposure to GRASP, SMETA, Fairtrade or similar social standards is strongly preferred.· Strong field presence and ability to work with smallholders, farmer groups and field staff in multiple regions.· Excellent leadership, communication, reporting skills and ability to link agronomy decisions to commercial, quality and sustainability outcomes.Skills & Competencies · Strong practical agronomy knowledge for tropical fruits and vegetables, including pest and disease diagnosis and integrated management.· Solid understanding of farm‑level record keeping, residue risk management and traceability requirements.· Ability to interpret and apply standard requirements (GlobalG.A.P, GRASP, SMETA, Fairtrade, buyer codes) in a pragmatic way on farms.· Strong leadership and people‑management ability across dispersed field teams.· Excellent communication skills with smallholders, farmer leaders, auditors and international buyers.· High integrity, results orientation and willingness to spend significant time in the field.· Strong ability to interpret export‑market regulations and customer standards, and communicate them in farmer‑friendly language.· Proactive in regulatory horizon scanning and translating technical requirements into field‑level practice.How to Apply: Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter, quoting “Company Agronomist – Fruits & Fresh Vegetables” in the subject line, to hr@vertltd.co.ke by 16th October 2026.Vert Limited is an equal opportunity.