Plantation Manager

About the GroupOur client’s group is a Nigeria-based integrated agri-allied group with operations spanning the edible-oil and the agricultural value chain including raw-material sourcing, soybean processing, solvent extraction, edible-oil refining, bulk storage, value-added processing, distribution and commodity exports. The business is fast growing and an ambitious associate company of the group and is aggressively ramping up its palm plantation and allied operations.About the RoleThe Plantation Manager / Head of Agronomy is based at the plantation in Nigeria, West Africa and will lead the end-to-end agronomic and field operations of a high growth large-scale oil palm plantation — the existing [5,000] planted hectares, and the expansion programme that will take the estate to 25,000 hectares, spanning early-stage, developing and maturing areas. The role carries full accountability for the estate’s agronomic standards, the planting and replanting programme, field productivity and the timely delivery of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) to the mill and is the single point of technical authority on agronomy for the business.The role requires deep understanding of the complete oil palm value chain, from soil management, seed sourcing, nursery management and land preparation through planting, field maintenance, plantation health, harvesting, evacuation and FFB quality, extending through to the interface with CPO milling operations. Knowledge of and experience in best-in-class agri practices is essential. Hands-on experience of taking immature areas through to stable mature yield in a high-rainfall tropical environment — including canopy management, cover establishment, census discipline and the first harvesting rounds — is a specific requirement of this role.The Plantation Manager will provide objective-focused leadership across large, diverse multifunctional teams of [600–900] permanent, seasonal and contract personnel today, growing substantially as the estate is built out driving productivity, operational discipline, safety, quality and cost efficiency. The position requires strong budget planning, cost management and understanding of key cost-control levers — principally harvesting and upkeep labour productivity, fertiliser, and field-to-mill evacuation, which together typically account for [70–80]% of field cost. Proven experience managing large plantations, establishing robust processes and operating systems, and delivering measurable performance improvements is essential. Maturity, sound judgement, commercial understanding and strong process knowledge are critical to success.The role also carries the community, host-landowner and outgrower interface within the plantation catchment — a decisive success factor in Nigeria — working alongside the Business Head and the Group’s stakeholder, legal and security functions.Reporting & Organisation:Reports to: Business HeadDotted line: Group technical / agriculture leadership, for standards and auditDirect reports (indicative): Estate / Field Managers [2–3] today, rising with the planted area; Agronomist and Plant Protection lead; Nursery Manager; Harvesting & Evacuation Manager; Plantation Engineering & Civil; Plantation HR & Admin; Stores and field procurementKey interfaces: Mill Manager (FFB supply, grading and quality), Finance, Supply Chain, Security, Group auditTotal workforce under management: [600–900] including contract labour today, rising towards [2,500–3,000] as the estate reaches 25,000 hectaresQualifications & Experience:B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Agriculture, Agronomy or Plantation Crop Management, or equivalent; specialist oil palm training or certification an advantage.15+ years in oil palm plantations, of which at least [5] years as Estate Manager, Group Manager or Head of Agronomy on an estate of [5,000]+ hectares.Demonstrated experience of greenfield development and of converting immature areas to stable mature yield.Experience in West or Central Africa strongly preferred; strong candidates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Latin America or India with a genuine willingness to relocate on a residential basis will be considered.Verifiable track record of quantified yield and cost improvement, with references.Working knowledge of RSPO Principles & Criteria and of sustainability reporting expectations.Fluent English; French an advantage.Key Skills & Competencies:Technical: soil and nutrition management, nursery and planting material, canopy and upkeep standards, plant protection, drainage and water management, replanting strategy.Operational: harvesting round discipline, labour and gang productivity systems, contractor management, in-field logistics, selective mechanisation.Commercial: bottom-up budgeting, cost-per-tonne discipline, capex justification, basic understanding of CPO price formation.Leadership: builds and retains teams in remote locations; effective with a large, largely unskilled workforce; visible in the field rather than office bound.Personal: resilience, integrity, cultural adaptability and comfort with the practical realities of a remote West African estate posting.If you wish to apply, please send your CV to Justin Peach at jpeach@caglobalint.com.Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.