Overview

My client is seeking an experienced and technically strong Seed Manager to lead the agronomic, technical, and commercial development of the company’s seed and seedling portfolio across Zambia – mainly vegetable and onion.

The role will oversee national varietal evaluation, governance of multi-location trial programs, and correct varietal placement across Zambia’s agro-ecological zones. The successful candidate will serve as the technical custodian of the seed range, driving product performance, innovation, and sustainable growth through data-driven agronomic decision making.

Key Responsibilities:

National Trial Governance and Agronomic Leadership

• Design, implement, and govern national multi-location trial programs across Zambia.
• Ensure correct varietal placement based on agro-ecological zones and production conditions.
• Oversee yield benchmarking and comparative performance analysis of seed varieties.
• Maintain a structured pipeline of new hybrid and OPV varieties.
• Analyse trial data and provide clear technical and commercial recommendations.
• Establish and manage Centres of Excellence and demonstration sites nationwide.

Seed and Seedling Sampling Portfolio

• Develop and maintain a competitive vegetable seed portfolio (Hybrid and OPV varieties). Vegetable seed – tomatoes / peppers / chilli / cabbage / lettuce / watermelon and onion seed.
• Manage product lifecycle planning including introduction, scaling, and phase-out of varieties.
• Align the seedling range with market demand and production trends.
• Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to ensure optimal sourcing and supply planning.

Technical Authority & Commercial Support

• Serve as the technical authority for the seed range within the organization.
• Support sales teams and key commercial farmers with agronomic recommendations and crop performance insights.
• Develop technical guides, trial reports, and crop production protocols.
• Lead field days, farmer training programs, and technical marketing initiatives.

Nursery & Quality Oversight

• Provide technical oversight to nursery and seedling production operations.
• Implement systems to monitor and manage:
  • Germination performance
  • Production efficiency and shrinkage
  • Production costs
  • Seedling quality compliance
• Ensure statutory compliance with seed packaging and labelling regulations.

Data & Performance Management

• Maintain comprehensive performance records including:
  • Germination rates
  • Yield performance
  • Variety adoption rates
  • Production cost analysis
• Translate agronomic and trial data into commercial recommendations and portfolio decisions.
• Provide regular performance reporting and insights to management.

Qualifications

• • BSc in Agriculture (Agronomy or Crop Science preferred).
  • Membership of AIZ (Agricultural Institute of Zambia) will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 10+ years practical agronomy experience, specifically within the seed sector (specifically vegetable and onion).
• Proven experience in crop trials, varietal evaluation, and seed portfolio management.
• Nursery, greenhouse or vegetable farming experience
• Strong understanding of Zambia’s agro-ecological diversity and crop production systems will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to translate agronomic data into commercial outcomes.

Key Competencies

• Understand the Zambian Seed market, key drivers and specifically vegetable and onion seed
• Advanced agronomic and crop science expertise
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Strategic product portfolio management
• Technical leadership and farmer engagement
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills